Police officers told not to engage policewomen in duties at their camp offices

The presence of policewomen at police stations will ensure that women and children feel safe, heard, and supported while reporting crimes, says ADGP (Law and Order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

In an order issued last week, Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham said it had come to his notice that women constables were being deployed at the camp offices for computer operations and handling of phone calls. 

Surge in crimes 

Given the increasing number of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and crimes against women and children, it is imperative that the services of women constables be optimally utilised for duties at police stations. “Women constables play a vital role in handling sensitive cases involving victims of sexual offences, domestic violence, and other gender-based crimes,” he said.

Mr. Devasirvatham said the presence of policewomen at police stations was essential for ensuring that victims, particularly women and children, felt safe, heard, and supported while reporting crimes. Moreover, their engagement in frontline policing work enhanced the department’s responsiveness to such issues, he pointed out. 

“In light of this, I instruct all Zonal IGPs and Commissioners of Police to issue necessary directives to ensure that women constables are not unduly retained in camp offices for administrative tasks. Instead, they should be deployed in police stations and special units, and for field duties, where their skills and presence can contribute meaningfully to policing objectives,” he said. 

Strict compliance 

Mr. Devasirvatham directed the officers to review the deployments and make adjustments at the earliest. “Strict compliance with this directive is expected to strengthen our capacity in handling crimes against women and children effectively.”

The order was sent to the Police Commissioners, the Zonal Inspectors-General of Police, the Range Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and the Superintendents of Police. 

The directive comes amid protests by Opposition parties condemning crimes against women and offences falling under the purview of the POCSO Act. A couple of days ago, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced that the party’s student wing would stage a protest in Chennai on February 18 against the DMK government’s “failure” to prevent the recent incidents of sexual offences against women and children.