Innovative policing

Reformatory Schools for Poor Women
(Patriot, 15 February 1987) 

Reformatory schools — a project under which free training in sewing and knitting is given to women from the weaker sections has been launched recently by the Delhi Police along with a sewing machine firm.      Disclosing its objective on Saturday, DCP (North) Kiran Bedi and the company’s national sales manager S. Rajmani said that the purpose was to provide neglected and poor women training and education to enable them to earn their livelihood through self-employment.      Already two schools have been set up. The first was opened on 13 January at the Andha Mughal Police post, where 45 women were undergoing training in three shifts. All the women being trained there belong to the ‘notorious’ Sansi community. The second school was inaugurated on Friday at Nathu Pura in North district, Mrs Bedi said.      She said that the project planned to set up sewing-cum- knitting schools attached to police stations in areas where a

high concentration of the economically backward people resided.      Women from these selected groups will be provided free sewing and knitting education with the help of trained instructresses from the sewing machine company. On completion of the three-month training, these women will be given a certificate by the company, Mr Rajmani said. Mrs Bedi, on the other hand, on behalf of the Delhi Police, said the police would sponsor them for bank loans at concessional rates of interest, to enable them to set up their own self-employment facilities in terms of buying these machines and doing their own business.      The project also envisaged welfare scheme of free sewing and knitting training for the families of the police personnel to enable them to supplement the family income. There has been a tremendous response from the women in the areas where the training project was set up, Mrs Bedi said.      She also said that a long-term plan of the project, was to set up knitting-cum-sewing schools in each police district area.

Sports meet to bring cops, public closer
(Evening News, 24 October)  

Evening News Correspondent New Delhi, Oct. 24       A unique experiment in bringing people closer to police through sports is underway in many of the villages in North Delhi.      Beat constables of these villages are organizing sports and games competitions for junior age group children with the help of village pradhans.      A month-long programme of games and sports in village Bawana under Narela police station concluded last evening in ‘a great function with village men, women and children taking part in it,’ according to Mrs Kiran Bedi, North District Police Chief.      About, 80-85 prizes and certificates were given to children who excelled in the competitions. ‘This way,’ says Mrs Bedi, ‘we are able to come closer to public.’

‘Take for instance, the Bawana  sports competitions. It was organized by, village pradhan with the help of beat constables in his area. The villagers even gave a token of appreciation to the beat constables during the function,’ said Mrs Bedi.      Shouldn’t the police concentrate on maintaining law and order? ‘Yes,’ says Mrs Bedi. ‘But today, we are in a position to look for ways to strengthen public-police ties. The crime is under control in our area with the help of public.’  She said village people undertook patrol duties in their area to help police maintain law and order.      Similar functions will be held in villages Alipur and Badli in North Delhi soon.      The main function will be held on Nov. 14, Children’s Day.