UNIFORM MUST FOR POLICEMEN ON DUTY, SAYS MUM POLICE CHIEF

MUMBAI: Mumbai Police commissioner (CP) Hemant Nagrale on Thursday issued directives to all the personnel of 100 police stations and traffic divisions in Mumbai to compulsorily wear uniform while taking action against any person. The latest directive intends to prevent cases of cheating by fraudsters who pose as police personnel in plain clothes and dupe innocent people.

Cheating by those who pose as cops remains one of the most common street crimes in Mumbai since long. Such habitual offenders are known to target mid-age women and senior citizens.

“They generally claim to be cops in plain clothes. They say that a murder has just been committed ahead on the road and ask the person to be more cautious and ask them to take off all their jewellery, tie them in a handkerchief and keep in the bag. They then employ hand tricks to discreetly steal the valuables. Many places in northern suburbs of Mumbai and Gamdevi, Grant road areas in South Mumbai are the hot-spots where such crimes take place,” said a police officer.

“It is observed that many police officers and constables while taking action on law breakers do not wear uniform, which is mandatory as per the rules,” stated the CP’S order. “Criminals take advantage of this attitude and target women and senior citizens by posing as (fake) cops and rob away their valuables in plain clothes. This sends very wrong message about police force in the society,” the order added.

The commissioner has also warned police personnel in Mumbai that strict action will be taken if anyone found not following this order while taking action on those suspects, people violating lockdown rules and traffic rules.

The order adds that the in-charge of the police station or unit, where the defaulter cop is attached, would also face the action.