Janamaithri Suraksha Project - Kerala Police

Janamaithri Suraksha Project: A Study
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Dr. Celine Sunny
Sudha Namboothiri
From time immemorial, image of a cop has been that of an authoritarian. They were the
less tolerant and among the last of the public servants that the common man or the elite went to,
for help and support.
Even in this country, the largest democracy in the world, the cop was someone everybody
wanted to complain of and not complain to.
Yet, the presence of a policeman on the street, however unfriendly, was a solace to many a weak soul.
Empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder, policing has
included an array of activities in different situations, but the predominant one is concerned with the
preservation of order. They play an increasingly important role in peace keeping.
The globalization of crime and the growing threats of terrorism has forced the change of
image of the police making him a COP (Community Police) in the true sense.
In Kerala, the Justice K T Thomas Commission on police reforms appointed by the
Government of Kerala suggested the implementation of community policing on an experimental
basis. Accordingly, the community policing initiative which is the embodiment of the idea of people’s
police, had its formal set go in Kerala in the year 2008 under the banner Janamaithri Suraksha
Project (JSP).
While it started in 20 police stations in the first phase, it was extended to another 23 police
stations in the year 2009, then extended another 105 police stations in the year 2010. Later, 100
more police stations were added to this list in the year 2012. Demands for inclusion of more and
more police stations are coming. Nevertheless, lack of finance and the personnel required has
restricted its expansion to all the police stations in the state.
From being the whole and sole in-charge of the law and order, the police now work in
tandem with community participation as the people of a community could act as agents of peace
and order in their area of residence through a number of ways.
It is this recognition of community participation that gave birth to the concept of community
policing which seeks the responsible participation of the citizens in crime prevention at the level of
the local community, conserving the resources, both of the community and of the police, in fighting
against crimes which threaten the security of the community at the global level.
Implemented under the Janamaithri Suraksha Project, community policing seeks to develop
closer ties between the police and the citizens, and create synergistic partnerships within local
communities to deal effectively with anti-social activities and prevent crime. Subsequently, as part
of the Janamaithri Suraksha programme, police are encouraged to take initiative in implementing
various projects in local communities, with the support of local community members. Some of the
activities that are envisioned by the project were:
1. Night patrolling within neighborhoods
2. Coordination with security guards of private establishments and residential colonies
3. Identification of strangers in the locality
4. Installation of security alarm systems in residences and other establishments
5. Arrangements for increased security for senior citizens, women and children, as well as
persons with physical handicaps and other disabilities.
6. Establishment of 24-hour Telephone Help-lines for use by citizens, esp. the needy sections
of society.
7. Awareness classes and crime prevention workshops on Traffic, Drug Use, and other
violations of the Law, especially in educational institutions.
8. Institution of Traffic Warden System by co-opting members of the public in traffic regulation
duties.