Cops go back to class for better report card

Railway police officers undergo special training on preparing airtight cases to bring down acquittal rate of 35 per cent

The railway police are so concerned about the fact that they were unable to secure convictions in 35 per cent of the cases against pickpockets and chain snatchers on suburban local trains that all their officers are now being taught the basics of investigations over a mandatory six-month training session.
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Law officers with over five years of experience have been hired on contractual basis to provide the training.

The decision was taken after the government realised that thieves were being acquitted mainly due to lacunae in the prosecution's cases.



Syllabus

Policemen from all the 17 railway police stations (central, harbour and western) are being trained on recording spot panchnamas and witness statements, finding and tracing important clues and recording them under the sub sections of Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act in order to make the case stronger during trial, explained senior law officer Rajendra Sadaphule.

He added, "A major concern for the railway police is to gather good witnesses, as commuters seldom wait at the scene of incident until the police arrive.

So our emphasis should be on collecting circumstantial and scientific evidence which will strengthen our case."

Tukaram Chavan, commissioner of police (GRP) said, "Our idea is to get maximum conviction by educating policemen and commuters on their role in curbing crime on the railway.

The police cannot do a better job until the public co-operates.

Scientific methods of investigation are also helping us get convictions." A similar training is in process currently at the railway police head quarters in Ghatkopar.