In a nutshell, Kuldip Sharma, the newly appointed police commissioner, has began his work to put the house in order in earnest.

It, however, remains to be seen if the city police can effectively check the crime rate, specifically the spurt in serious crimes in the past few months. Though last fortnight did not see any serious crime, there has been no headway in the murder case of BJP councillor Nita Satbhaya and Ashit Africawala.

Talking to Express Newsline, Sharma said general policing needed to be improved at the earliest, which coupled with systematic investigation would improve the functioning.

On the changed format of police statement and the list becoming longer, he said the idea was to ensure that no information was left out and people are informed of the happenings in the city.

He said police station officers had been directed to entertain anybody who wished to lodge a complaint and also follow procedures diligently. He admitted that stations PSOs were finding it difficult to adjust to the changes, but said they would get adjusted soon.

On his orders prohibiting persons other than those stationed at the control room to be there, he said, ``The police control room is an important place as group messages are received and forwarded from here. Why only reporters, no one, even police officials should be there''.

According to him, the three police officials in-charge of the control room, should be efficient and capable, unlike a trend that has developed that those who cannot be accommodated elsewhere are stationed at the control room, which doesn't call for actual investigation. Sharma admitted that police officials prefer to head police stations than the control room, but said that didn't reduce the importance of the centre.

Among other changes that are visible is wearing of the uniforms by policemen, even those posted at the reader and other clerical branches, and those on beat and night patrolling, who till now preferred casuals.

The speedy action taken against illegal vegetable and fruit vendors, who had encroached upon the main Bhagal Road is also an example.

Besides, the quickness displayed by the police in reaching the spot where the dead body of a watchman was recovered from the Rander area was also welcomed.

Lapse of duty on part of the policemen in reaching the residence of Satbhaya had invited criticism from all quarters besides triggering an overhaul in the top brass of the city police. While these measures initiated by the police commissioner have been welcomed, the real test of the police lie in checking the spiralling crime rate.