The SHE Team, known for its modus operandi of executing decoy
operations to tackle crime against women in the city, is giving its personnel a
chance at going chic as part of the work.
“To execute a
successful decoy operation, it is compulsory to hide one’s identity as a police
officer and for this, we have chosen to wear trendy dresses or whatever attire
that helps us be one among the public,” reveals D Kavitha, ACP, SHE Team.
The instructions
given out to the teams on the field include one to ensure that the personnel
are in tune with the occasion as well. For instance, if the team is on security
duty during a Bonalu festival celebration, it will be imperative for the team
to don traditional attire, or whatever a majority of the crowd will be in on
that day.
The idea, Kavitha
says, is not to give out clues to offenders who will be
slightly wary of police
personnel in mufti. While male personnel could afford to appear for duty
without a shave, perhaps slightly unkempt or whatever it would take to shake
off the tough cop look, the female personnel would not have to compulsorily
wear their hair in tight buns and be as casual as possible.
“Miscreants target
women during festival celebrations. So our teams were told to blend in with the
crowd and keep a tight vigil in that way. It worked, and crimes against women
on such occasions have come down,” she says.The move is also part of the
department’s motto of ‘friendly policing’, and has seen the Basheerbagh office
premises also undergoing a change to get into tune with the new approach.
“A cool and
peaceful atmosphere can easily help visitors feel at ease. His or her comfort
can also make it easier for the investigation officer to help,” the ACP says,
adding that the department was making all efforts towards building trust and
hope among the public.
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