CM lays stress on more efforts to transform police into a truly people-friendly force 

The police have been used to suppress peaceful agitations of employees for their rights. A significant shift happened when it was decided that the police should not intervene in labour disputes, says Pinarayi

The Kerala Police did not gain its current abilities overnight; it has a history marked by dark times. There is still much to be done for making the police force truly people-friendly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

He was speaking after taking salute at the passing-out parade of 141 Sub-Inspectors from the 31A batch, who completed their training at the Kerala Police Academy, Ramavarmapuram, near here, on Saturday.

In the past, people viewed the police as their enemies, a perception shaped by the way the police were used. Their goal was not to serve the public but to suppress them and maintain British colonial rule. The police were used as instruments of oppression. Even after Independence, this approach continued. Only after the formation of the Kerala State did the police force undergo a major shift in its approach, the Chief Minister noted.

“The police have been used to suppress peaceful agitations of employees for their rights. A significant shift happened when it was decided that the police should not intervene in labour disputes. Over time, the police have become a force that the public can rely on in times of great difficulty and disaster. This transformation has been gradual and has come through rigorous training.”

“The present police force is far more educated, with many highly qualified youth joining the ranks. The police today have a different face compared to the past. However, it’s important to remember that not every member of the police force embodies these qualities. Some flaws of society can reflect within the police as well. Strict action will be taken against those who fail to live up to the standards, and some have been expelled from the force. The people are the true masters, and the police must serve them with that mindset,” the Chief Minister reminded the new personnel.

“However, there can be no compromise on certain issues. There should be no leniency when it comes to communal extremism. Strong measures will be taken against those who incite communal violence, and the police must defend the secular fabric of the nation. The police should take a firm stance against those who disrupt public order,” he said.

State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, IGP & Director of Kerala Police Academy A. Akbar, and senior police officials also received the cadets’ salute. Relatives and friends of the trainees were present at the ceremony. The Chief Minister awarded trophies to those who displayed exceptional performance during their training.

The training for the 31A batch of Sub-Inspectors began on November 14, 2023 at the Kerala Police Academy. Over the year-long basic training, the cadets underwent outdoor and indoor training. Among the trainees, one has PhD, 41 hold BTech degree, six have MTech, eight have MBA, 24 hold post-graduate degrees, and 60 have undergraduate degrees.

Published - December 14, 2024 06:52 pm IST