With officers on deputation duty emerging as one of the roadblocks in complete implementation of corporate hours for cops, CP directs that the extra staff be sent back to police stations
D D Padsalgikar, CP
The Mumbai Police is 15 months into implementing its ambitious eight-hour shift for cops, with only 30 police stations left to put it into practice. But the existing 64 police stations, which have implemented the corporate duty hours, are facing a major hurdle: excess staff being away on deputation duty.
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These extra constables and officers sent for duty to deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and additional commissioner of police's (addl CP) offices are now being asked to come back to their respective police stations in order to make the shift timings feasible for all.
The eight-hour duty for police officers in Mumbai began in May 2016 from Deonar police station, after a constable stationed there wrote a letter to commissioner of police (CP) D D Padsalgikar, urging him to bring corporate working hours for cops.
Start with the east
The eastern region, where this idea flourished and was implemented first, has been asked to remove unnecessary staff from deputation duty. "More than 20 staffers have been posted in DCP and addl CP's offices since there is no sanctioned strength for these offices," said one officer, adding, "For the success of the eight-hour duty, we want our men to multi-task; we should be able to run offices with lesser people who are more efficient."
"Many constables and officers influence authorities to get a deputation posting; therefore, one can find more number of people in these offices than necessary," said another senior officer.
"This brings out a 'chalta hai' attitude, which is a cause for concern in a city like Mumbai, where each and every policeman is important," the officer added.
'Deputation is an issue'
Speaking to mid-day, Padsalgikar admitted to the issue. "As we progress in implementing this scheme, we are coming across some issues and addressing them. Deputation is one of them, and we have already worked on it. In the eastern region, which is at the forefront in implementing the eight-hour shift, officers have been asked to send back unnecessary staff. This will be done by other regions as well."
"Also, the staff on deputation in these offices will also be given an eight-hour shift, thus reducing office hours. We are marching towards 100 per cent implementation of this scheme at a steady pace, and will definitely succeed if we overcome such shortcomings, the CP said.
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