Police Reforms – Delhi Police Launches Weekly Public Hearing Initiative
Police Reforms – Delhi Police has introduced a new public engagement initiative aimed at making law enforcement services more accessible while ensuring quicker resolution of citizens’ concerns. The move comes as part of a broader effort to strengthen communication between residents and police authorities across the national capital.
New Guidelines Issued After High-Level Review
The latest directive was issued following a review meeting attended by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Police Commissioner Satish Golchha, and other senior officials. The discussions focused on improving public trust, increasing accountability within the police force, and establishing a more structured system for handling complaints and suggestions from citizens.
Under the new framework, police stations will serve as regular platforms where residents can directly interact with officers regarding issues related to public safety, local concerns, and police services.
Weekly Public Hearings to Begin Across Police Stations
According to the circular distributed to senior officers, including Special Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners, every police station in Delhi will conduct a dedicated public hearing programme known as “Thana Divas-Jan Sunwai.”
The sessions will be organized every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are scheduled to begin from the coming week. During these meetings, members of the public will have the opportunity to submit complaints, seek assistance, provide feedback, and raise concerns related to law enforcement and community safety.
Senior Officers to Participate in the Process
The initiative places significant emphasis on the involvement of senior police officials. Officers from various supervisory levels will attend the hearings on a rotational basis to ensure that issues are addressed without unnecessary delays.
Authorities believe that direct participation by higher-ranking officers will help resolve grievances more efficiently while also reinforcing public confidence in the complaint-handling system.
Complaint Registration Process Simplified
The circular makes it clear that every individual attending the Jan Sunwai programme must be heard, regardless of whether their complaint has already been registered through the Integrated Complaint Monitoring System (ICMS).
Any grievance submitted during the public hearing will be accepted and later uploaded to the digital monitoring system if required. This measure is intended to ensure that no complaint goes unnoticed due to procedural requirements.
Citizen-Friendly Arrangements Made Mandatory
Police station heads have been instructed to create a welcoming environment during the weekly hearings. This includes providing adequate seating facilities, establishing assistance desks, and ensuring that visitors receive proper guidance throughout the process.
In addition, each police station will maintain a separate information sheet or register to document complaints and requests received during the Jan Sunwai sessions. This record-keeping mechanism is expected to improve monitoring and follow-up action.
Accountability Measures Strengthened
The circular also outlines clear responsibilities for officers at different levels. Complaints requiring verification or investigation must be assigned immediately for further action. Monitoring of grievance disposal will take place at multiple supervisory stages to prevent delays.
Station House Officers (SHOs), Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), and District Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) will be personally responsible for ensuring that the programme is implemented effectively and in accordance with the guidelines.
Officials expect that the weekly public hearing initiative will create a stronger connection between citizens and police personnel while promoting transparency, responsiveness, and better public service delivery throughout Delhi.