Kerala police seek creation of 15,075 new posts to address workload, stress

Thiruvananthapuram: In a recent development, recommendations have been made to add 15,075 new positions to the State police to address the workload. The proposal includes creating new roles for Civil Police Officers (6,476), Senior Civil Police Officers (6,195), Assistant Sub-Inspectors (1,819), Sub-Inspectors (580), and Station Officers (5).

The recommendation report, submitted by IG Harshita Attaluri, aims to enhance law and order management across the State. Currently, Kerala's police force has 21,842 personnel across 484 stations. The increase is seen as necessary due to rising cases and the current staff's demanding schedules. 

At present, the force includes 12,774 Civil Police Officers, 4,123 Senior Civil Police Officers, 1,085 SIs and 480 Inspectors. Law and order issues and preliminary case investigations are handled at the station level. Many stations, with fewer than 50 officers each, face challenges due to new initiatives like ‘Janamaithri’ and Pink Police, which lead to up to 18-hour workdays and difficulties in taking leave. In some cases, officers are denied even the week’s off. The staffing pattern from 1984 persists despite ongoing calls for improvements. The high workload has led to increased resignations and severe mental stress among officers, including rising suicide rates.

Meanwhile, responding to concerns over the mental well-being of policemen, the police department has initiated measures to address complaints and resolve issues effectively. Policemen, including those up to the ADGP level and their families, now have direct access to lodge complaints through newly formed committees at station levels. ADGP MR Ajith Kumar, overseeing law and order, had issued a circular last month to district police chiefs and range IGs, outlining the implementation of the 'Kaval Karuthal' scheme across all districts without delay. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that grievances from all ranks of policemen are heard.