Rajasthan's Udaipur Will Soon Become The First City To Have An All-Women Patrol Team
Udaipur will perhaps become the first in the country to engage an all-women team for patrol duty. Officers will be tasked with maintaining public order providing information and helping tourists discouraging uncouth behaviour and attending emergencies. The city will be divided into five beats with a lady patrol of two officers for each beat.
In contrast to their dour and sometimes scruffy male counterparts, smart women in crisp blue uniforms and helmets will soon patrol city roads.
BCCL/representative image
Like the men, they will carry pistols and ride modified bikes equipped with double beacons, search lights and first aid boxes.
Taking a tip from Italy and China, which deploy women urban management officers in contrast to conventional street policing, Udaipur will perhaps become the first in the country to engage an all-women team for patrol duty.
BCCL/representative image
The officers will be tasked with maintaining public order, providing information and helping tourists, discouraging 'uncouth behaviour' and attending emergencies. The city will be divided into five beats with a lady patrol of two officers for each beat. They will work in shifts starting from 6am till midnight.
The proposal is a first of its kind for the state. The department has also sent a request for special blue-coloured uniform for approval to the police headquarters.
"The idea is to present a concept of smart policing for the smart city. This will help to build confidence not only among lady officers but also among residents and visitors. The lady patrol will be seen on the streets very soon. Officers will be picked for their efficiency in handling emergencies like accidents, conflicts or cases of eve-teasing," said Udaipur SP Rajendra Prasad Goyal.
BCCL/representative image
"Compared with their male counterparts, women officers will be less confrontational while handling conflicts. Girls and women will also open up easily and share their problems unhesitatingly with lady cops," Goyal said.
In the first phase, 24 cops have been selected for the patrol. They have been given rigorous training in martial arts, physical exercises, gym and bike riding. The candidates are undergoing 7-8 hours of training daily for some weeks now.
BCCL/representative image
"They have to excel in all these areas as patrolling is a tough job. There are around 100 lady cops in the district. When we explained the project to them, many of them instantly agreed to volunteer," said additional SP (rural) Chandrasheel Thakur, who is in-charge of the programme.
The shortlisted candidates could be inducted in the coming days. The selected ones are on the verge of completing the training. The bikes to be used for patrol are being modified for the purpose. The date to launch the patrol will be fixed soon.