'Empathy' in police manual for image makeover

The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) has come out with a comprehensive list under the title "-Negative list of actions detrimental to the Police image-" outlining the acts and behaviour damaging the image of policing in the country, officials said on Saturday.

- Mukesh Ranjan @New Delhi

Noting that the Police research organisation has prepared the list in compliance with a recommendation to it at the Director Generals of Police (DGsP) and Inspector Generals of Police (IGsP) conference 2024, the officials said, it highlighted systemic shortcomings, which include "misconduct and insensitive practices" that erode public trust and undermine credibility, leading to a weakening of the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

In the report, the BPR&D suggests DGsP give special attention to the way police interact with the public. It has warned that aggressive or insensitive behaviour "leaves a lasting impact on public perception".