Delhi’s first Inspector General of Police, Shri D W Mehra, was appointed this day in 1948, following a sharp rise in crime in the wake of the Partition and influx of refugees in the Capital.

This year, 26 personnel have been awarded the Prime Minister’s Police Medal for saving lives and more than a hundred have been awarded the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service.

The Raising Day this year was also an occasion to highlight, once again, the major barriers the Delhi Police are still to cross in order to provide the population with expected action. “It is common knowledge that the expansion of police infrastructure has not kept pace with the expansion of the city and its population. We are in the process of setting up a state-of-the-art traffic management centre, with camera coverage of most major roads; a synchronised traffic signal control and red-light speed cameras at sensitive locations. This project, which is expected to get going before the Commonwealth Games, will helping in checking crime,” Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said.

“A new scheme — the ‘Eyes and Ears’ of the police — has been launched to achieve enhanced participation of the public in policing. Citizens from various walks of life are being motivated to help in identifying criminals, suspects, problem areas and issues requiring police intervention. These members of the public will act as force multipliers,” Dadwal added.

“Everyone, the people, elected representatives and the media, want police performance to improve. Why it is not happening?” Ved Marwah, member of the Indian Police Services, asked in an article published in the Souvenir book especially edited for this year’s Raising Day.

“There are too many constraints, legal and administrative, in the way of effective policing. Reforms are needed in almost all aspects of policing. There are no short cuts available for the eradication of corruption. But obviously, it cannot be eradicated if senior and sensitive posts at all levels, particularly where public interaction with the police is more direct, are not manned by officers who are known for their competence and integrity. Suitability and experience should be the deciding factor in postings and transfers. And that will not happen unless the police department, like the armed forces, is insulated from external pressures,” he wrote.

“We need a change of attitude at the top and middle levels before we can expect a change in the behaviour of the lower ranks. (In order to do so) the police also needs external mechanisms, as recommended by the National Police Commission,” he added.