Janamaithri Suraksha Project - Kerala Police

Undoubtedly, the Janamaithri experiment has clearly taken wings in the 18 months of
its existence. Its primary success has been that it has transformed people’s perception of what
the police ought to be. By constant endeavor standards of performance were improved and
rose to the expectation of the people. Interestingly, the level of responsibility displayed by the
subordinate police personnel surprised everyone, including the senior leadership.
Within the organization, the project has been a revelation. Policemen and head
constables, when designated as beat officers and assigned the task of proper policing in their
beats, instantly rose up to the task. Besides turning into self-motivated individuals, beat officers
went about their tasks with a remarkable degree of self-confidence that had so far been alien to
them. Indeed, at every ward meeting, it was sheer joy to watch these beat officers hold forth eloquently
on the successes and issues in their beat area. In fact, many of the beat officers are more popular in
the locality than the local leaders.
An evaluation done by the police leadership also found growing support for the projects.
The following are among the more interesting results reported from Janamaithri Suraksha police
stations across the state of Kerala:
• In Kasaragod police station (Kasaragod district) limits, it is reported that the white jeep of the
Janamaithri Suraksha program gets a warm welcome from local residents as they see it
pass. Here, located as it is along 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.
• At Payyannur (Kannur district), local residents were sufficiently motivated by the initiatives of
the local police in countering instances of illicit liquor distilling and sale, so much so that entire
communities have come together to eradicate it from their midst.
• In Kalpetta (Waynad district), which has a large adivasi (tribal) population, the genuine concern
on the part of police regarding issues affecting tribal women has inspired community leaders
to take steps to address the issue on a priority basis.
• In Kozhikode city (Kozhikode district), the police initiatives in delivering palliative care to
local residents have evoked admiration of the citizens, and members of the residents’
associations have come forward to work with local police in addressing com-munity issues.
• Within the jurisdiction of Perinthalmanna police station (Malappuram district), house
owners reported that immediately after the visits by the local beat officers, the tenants in
some rented houses disappeared, even foregoing the advances paid to the house owners.
It is surmised that at least some of these visitors to the area had criminal motives in corning
there, and that the visits by the police caused them to rethink their plans.
• In Irinjalakuda (Thrissur district), the police have been successful in motivating local
residents to develop a community-wide blood donor forum, as a valuable community resource.
In addition, college students have been associating with the police as traffic wardens, with
the encouragement of college authorities.
• At Ottapalam (Palakkad district), the police have reported success in curtailing instances of
illegal sand mining, with the assistance of local communities. The program has also received a
lot of positive feedback from the large number of elderly citizens resident in the area.
• In Kochi city (Ernakulam district), police have been working closely with residents’ associations
to make local communities safe for the citizens. Police have been making efforts to spread
awareness about the utility of burglar alarms and other household security devices.
• 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, especially to members of the socially backward Kudumbi community. Here too,
instances of antisocial activities such as illicit distilling and sale of liquor have come down
significantly.
27