Towards humane policing

Towards humane policing
(Human in Khaki a book by By Ashok Kumar IG)
Reviewed by Rajbir Deswal for The Tribune
WHEN a policeman talks about human rights, it is generally perceived as if Satan is quoting verses from the Bible—only for the sake of sermonising and sounding good for a makeover. But if a cop’s initiatives are deliverable in all earnestness and bring relief, to not the victim himself but to the society at large, for a bigger reassurance, then he has to be believed for his good demeanour and forthrightness.
That Ashok Kumar, the author and Inspector General of Police from a sleepy village near Panipat, becomes anecdotal has to be discounted for his documentation in his diary, brought out in the form of Human in Khaki, has all the seamier and darker sides, of the switchover of his professional indulgences; firstly as an IIT-ian and secondly, as being member of the "iron-frame" of the Indian Police Service.
Thus, from the psychological point of view, he watches from outside, the inside stories of the police functioning; ills and pseudo-thrills of its actors who "run the show". In so exposing the prevalent, virulent police culture, he spares none—not even himself, when he becomes shaky in apprehension of facing a terrorist, who, he later watches, shaking like a yellow leaf, in apprehension of being "encountered"—but spared his life for causes humane.
The candidness and forthrightness, with which he talks about the police-criminal nexus, stereotypes dominating the criminal justice delivery system, flawed procedures which help only the accused and not the victim, is worth applauding.
He talks about the insensitivity and apathy, with which the lower level functionaries in police approach the general masses. Ashok laments their not so pro-active attitude, of "not going beyond their father’s saying", in so far as stretching themselves a bit more in the service of the community is concerned.
The author does not buy his own department’s package—offer of myths such as "criminals are beyond reformation", "witnesses always lie", "rape victims are women of easy virtue", "poor will always compromise and compound their exploitation", "youth are always rowdy and ruthless", "pursuing good causes for long is not possible", and "people-oriented policing will dilute the police authority".
Ashok’s study of the minds of victims of criminal onslaught is too perky to betray apathy. His description of the flow of his comprehending human situations is tepid and aflush with indulgent details. It’s only with this ease to empathise that he successfully rounded off all seemingly unusual tasks that he undertook during the preceding 20 or so years in the IPS—and all of them having a happy ending.
Corruption in police functioning has its tentacles spread all over. It has go-betweens, touts, bullies and brokers who work for corrupt policemen. All transactions are carried out by them and with impunity. From big business platforms, as for extortion, intimidation or elimination, to even a tea stalls outside the police station or police post, for brokering arranged peace bordering on extended exploitation—all finds mention in the book.
The author suggests a free mixing-up with the hoi polloi. Visiting the spot of occurrence by senior officers will put an end to many an unhealthy manoeuvres that creep in due to absentee-bossism and not being watched or checked. Ashok has no qualms in indulging in self-deprecation which is his strength, in not only correcting and improvising and winning all situations hands down, besides penning down all of his bold statements and experiences in the most straight forward manner. Like Kiran Bedi, he dares!
Human in Khaki is an apt commentary, largely not on what procedures may be required for a people-friendly policing, but what attitudes will facilitate effective, supportive and sympathetic policing that includes people’s participation, too. The talisman that the author gives to his brothers in uniform is that, in helping the victims, it will always need for them to "walk an extra mile in tearing away at the cobwebs of procedure that sometimes obscure justice." Offering a glimmer of hope and being able to secure a smile on the faces of people in distress is what policemen should swear by. The author believes that social exploitation cannot be checked, or altered, by legislation alone. It will require the law enforcement agencies to implement the "rule of law".
The book besides talking about rights of human beings has interesting details of people, places, customs and practices. Lokesh Ohri has assisted the author a great deal in packaging the contents of the latter’s diary, which he wrote as a habit, currently not in vogue, generally. A human activity to the core. Of understanding and appreciating human mind, and documenting the feelings.
http://rajbirdeswal.instablogs.com/entry/terrorist-who-shook-like-yellow-leaf-spared-life/