AMRITSAR: There is a growing tendency among the Punjab Police personnel to indulge in drinking, as a result of Which a majority of them are turning into alcoholies, a recent survey has revealed. Alarmed by the survey, conducted by a young Indian Police Service Officer, tin: der the Deputy Inspector General of Po. lice, Border Range, P.M. Dass, that been decided to first implement its recommendations at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. According to the survey, about 37% of pol men, 26,42% posted at the police ions, drink liquor, 39% of the regular drinkers blame it on their family problems, 19% on bad company and 15% on work load: About 20% of the policemen Says that they drink just to get high Alow, 72% of the cops, attribute this habit to harassment by superiors.
According to the survey, liquor is freely available at the police stations, which prompted policemen to drink regularly, ‘Unscrupulous persons” normally bring liquor and “gift” it to the policemen, At the police stations, some policemen get an opportunity to earn money through corrupt means and this extra money is used for buying liquor. ‘The survey says that elsewhere; there is no opportunity to earn money Enough corrupt means because the officials are under close supervision. It further points out that with long postings al one place, policemen develop vested interests.
The drinking habit, it has been observed, leads to economic hardship for the police men, and has had effect on the children in terms of their studies, health and nutrition and leads to violent and corrupt practices in the community directly or indirectly.
The survey found high rate of divorce, absenteeism and job losses among them, more alarming was the finding that most of the accidents involving policemen were due to alcoholism.
The survey has suggested that in order to solve the problems of the policemen that leads then to drinking, the authorities must gear up its grievance redressal machinery and Took alter their men in a better way.
IT further suggests that instead of sending them to hospitals their treatment within the organization would help more. It also suggests that there should be periodical relation of posting, so that officials do not develop vested interests, and favored education and counseling by senior officers and doctors. In order to create a congenial atmosphere in the force, the officers should take the lead and serving of liquor at official police functions should be banned. ‘There should be group games and sports for the subordinates and they should be ‘exhorted to participate in cultural activities, the survey suggested. Most importantly, while honest and hardworking officers should be honored by the senior officers in the department as well as publicly, prompt and stem action should be taken against the delinquent, This, the survey says, is necessary, because the chances of the aleoholies getting back to the habits of drinking are extremely high even after they have undergone counsel ling and medical treatment.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 14, 1995
