Playing peek-a-boo with speeding cars: Why Delhi cops keep risking it all for a routine check

New Delhi: A routine paper check turned tragic in south-east Delhi on Wednesday when a driver ploughed into a traffic cop, thrusting the city’s perilous policing methods back into the spotlight. The incident highlights a recurring spectacle: unarmed officers suddenly stepping into bustling, high-speed traffic to halt motorists, a tactic road safety experts and retired cops call inherently hazardous.Traffic cops often lurk behind trees and pillars, catching drivers off guard by leaping into the road in a bizarre game of peek-a-boo. While the intention behind this tactic, according to cops, is to enforce rules and maintain order, these mid-road confrontations not only trigger traffic chaos and public anxiety, but also endanger the lives of both drivers and policemen.The risks associated with this practice are multifaceted, say retired cops. “The perils of these mid-road stops are evident in the numerous incidents where police personnel have been injured or nearly dragged on the bonnet of vehicles. It not only puts the lives of these policemen at risk, but also creates a sense of fear among motorists,” said a retired traffic cop.“It is inherently hazardous, as it forces police personnel to be in close proximity to moving vehicles, often in situations where drivers may be distracted, panicked or even hostile. Also, traffic cops are unarmed and not fully equipped to handle a faceoff,” he added.The practice also leads to traffic congestion, accidents and even altercations between police and motorists. “What we don’t realize is that it also affects the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the community, as motorists feel harassed or unfairly targeted,” said a retired top cop who once put the clamps on Delhi Police’s “chase and challan” scheme where bikers were chased by policemen on bikes, substantially raising the chances of an accident.But why do traffic cops do this? TOI spoke to a few policemen on the ground, who said they are often asked by their seniors to get on the road for these “special drives” so that the prosecution figures are intact. They said people’s reluctance to pay challans, despite the availability of digital payment options, prompted them to aggressively challan motorists.The police department’s practice of often rewarding cops for collecting challans by jumping in front of vehicles is also a concerning factor that encourages this hazardous behaviour, according to sources. “By recognising and rewarding such acts, the department inadvertently promotes a culture of risk-taking, rather than encouraging officers to adopt safer and more efficient methods of challan collection,” said a retired officer.In contrast to Delhi Police’s approach, police forces in many Western countries follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that prioritise safety and efficiency. For instance, police officers in the US are trained to use designated stopping areas to conduct stops and interactions with motorists. The process to “stop vehicles” is also organised where a seemingly suspect car is trailed by a police car with sirens and flashers for a distance, prompting it to pull over to a side. The officer approaches with caution from the passenger’s side and asks the occupant to step out of the vehicle or asks for the driver’s licence.“They typically request drivers to stop in a well-lit area, away from traffic flow, and ask them to turn off the engine, engage the parking brake, and keep their hands visible on the steering wheel. At night, officers use flashlights to illuminate the vehicle interior and maintain visibility,” said a retired cop who served in a UN mission abroad.Anil Chhikara, former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi, said the practice was dangerous and can lead to serious incidents.“Vehicles are moving with the flow of traffic, and if police officers suddenly step in and attempt to stop them, there is a risk of collisions or pile-up that could result in major accidents,” he said. He added that there is no protocol that permits traffic police personnel to stop vehicles in such a manner.Asked if they encouraged this practice, a senior traffic officer said they had already instructed their personnel not to stop vehicles in the middle of the road. “They have also been directed to wear proper fluorescent jackets and set up barricades while conducting vehicle checks and search operations,” he added.Serving and former officers agreed that traffic cops should adopt a different approach. This could involve expanding the use of technology, such as surveillance cameras and licence plate readers, to monitor and track vehicles without putting officers at risk.“Random roadside stops should only be conducted on the basis of inputs of a criminal or a gangster passing by or for crime prevention, keeping the traffic flow in mind. Also, on-ground policemen should focus more on enforcement than prosecution. Let cameras handle the majority of the prosecution part,” said a senior officer.