Dr. B. Sandhya IPS (IGP, Kerala)    Nodal Officer, Community Policing Implementation Committee

The Janamaithri Suraksha project of the Kerala Government is a statewide community policing initiative by the Kerala Police that seeks to develop closer ties between the police and the citizens, and create synergistic partnerships within local communities to deal effectively with anti-social activities and prevent crime, thereby improving security within these communities. Since its statewide launch in March 2008, it has been adopted on a pilot basis within the jurisdictions of 20 police stations across the State, with at least one in each District, and three each in the metro cities of Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Thus far the programme results have been quite satisfactory, and in many cases have even exceeded expectations of programme planners.

Programme Implementation:

Residential areas within the jurisdictions of each Janamaithri Suraksha Police Station were demarcated into separate and distinct 'Beats', and one Beat Officer, attached to that particular Police station, was assigned to cover each beat. Also, as part of their duties, these Beat Officers were required to visit all residences within their given beat areas. Often these beat officers were accompanied by Women Police Constables as Assistant Beat Officers, during the house visits. Since the aim of the programme was to maximize contact between police and community members, the beat officers also made it a point to pay regular visits to educational institutions such as schools and colleges in their respective Beat areas.

The following are some of the major results from the statewide implementation, as reported by the local Janamaithri Suraksha programme officers:

Programme Results:

1. In Paravoor (Kollam District), incidents of chain snatching by gangs in broad daylight, as well as increasing instances of house burglaries at night were effectively brought down, as a result of the close interaction between the police officers and the citizens. Information regarding the perpetrators of such crimes were instantly brought to the notice of the police officers, and immediate action by the police resulted in many arrests. It is reported that, already, the local citizens are quite satisfied about the benefits of the programme.


2. In Adoor (Pathanamthitta District), an area where many residents are elderly and living alone in their residences, the house visits by the beat officers have been welcomed enthusiastically. Here, it is reported that these police personnel are often treated as 'family members' by the residents. These citizens have expressed a feeling of increased personal security and household safety, due to these visits to their houses by uniformed police personnel


3. Within the jurisdiction of Perinthalmanna Police Station (Malappuram District), it was reported that immediately after the house visits by the local Beat Officers, the residents in several rented houses disappeared, even forgoing the advances paid to the house owners. It is surmised that at least some of these visitors to the area had criminally motivated ulterior motives in staying there, and that the house visits by the police personnel caused them to re-think their plans.


4. Similar incidents have been reported from within the jurisdiction of Payyanur Police Station (Kannur District) as well.


5. Cherthala Police Station (Alappuzha District) officers report that the local citizens are highly appreciative of the Beat Officers and their involvement in delivery of counseling services within families. The socially backward-Kudumbi community, of which there is a fairly good representation in this area, have been the beneficiaries of such services by the Beat Officers. Here, as a result, instances of anti-social activities such as illicit distilling and sale of liquor have come down.


6. In Kasaragod Police Station (Kasaragod District) limits, it has been reported that the white vehicle of the Janamaithri Suraksha programme gets a warm welcome from local residents when they see it pass. Here, located as it is adjacent to the National Highway (NH 17), there are usually incidents of vehicular accidents, and the local police have made it a point to respond with urgency to such incidents.


7. In Irinjalakuda (Thrissur District), the police have been active in involving local community members in a community-wide blood awareness campaign, with the aim of developing a valuable community resource, viz. a citizen's blood bank. College students have been associated with the activities of the Police in regulating local traffic, after getting trained as Traffic Wardens


8. In Thodupuzha (Idukki District) and Kalpetta (Wynad District), police have been taking care to address local issues, many of which concern women. The similarities in geographical terrain of both areas gives rise to many similar anti-social activities, many of which have been effectively controlled by cooperation between police and local community members.


9. At Ottapalam (Palakkad District), the police have reported success in curtailing instances of illegal sand mining, with the assistance of local communities. The programme has also received a lot of positive feedback from the large number of elderly citizens resident in the area.


10. Vaikom (Kottayam District) reports that police have been able to deal effectively with instances of anti-social activities such as distillation of illicit liquor, illegal sale of pan masala, etc


11. In Kozhikode City (Kozhikode District), the police have been working closely with members of the Residents associations, in addressing community issues. Night patrolling by community groups, palliative care activities, etc. by the police have all been well appreciated. Local residents have made a request that the local beat officers should be stationed here for at least two years.


12. In Kochi City (Ernakulam District), too, police have been working closely with Residents Associations to make local communities safe for the citizens. Police have been also making efforts to spread awareness about the utility of burglar alarms and other household security devices.


13. In addition, a special group of policemen of the KAP battalion at Mangattuparamba (Kannur District) has undergone training in Palliative Care, and stands ready to perform these services for the needy sections of society.