CP ‘handpicks’ robust crime branch team

Nagpur: In a first, police commissioner (CP)

Amitesh Kumar

has been toiling at police gymkhana to pick the constabulary for filling the vacant posts in the crime branch after shunting out some old faces and controversial ones. He has also sent out a message to the officers of crime branch regarding zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities, especially to target the 'big fish' and go cracking against them.

The CP, after referring to the service records of the constabularies, is learnt to be posting them at crime branch 'on-the-spot' if someone fits his expectations. Having started the process last week with general transfers to the police stations, Kumar continued the exercise more meticulously with the crime branch, which he now wanted to unleash against the goons, organized syndicates and illegal activities.

Earlier, the transfers were conducted by a three-member committee of top officers aided by the clerical staffers. Kumar has put an end to the traditional method with his personal involvement.

CP said the crime branch unit was made a permanent choice posting by some cops, but now under his regime, “impeccable credentials, adequate physical and mental tenacity and knowledge about criminals” would be some of the key criteria. "Crime branch entails 24×7×365-day jobs and one must have the capacity to fulfil that, apart from sufficient knowledge about criminals," said Kumar, stating that nefarious rackets must cease to exist as much as possible.

Sources from crime branch said Kumar had also taken a meeting of the squad and unit incharges, where he had sternly warned against slackness and failure to curb crime. "CP has told the inspectors to perform, instead of just occupying their places," said a source.

While the home department is engaged in posting senior officers in Nagpur, Kumar is busy strengthening the base with adequate and deserving manpower.