Straight Answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">D N Jadhav</span>, Commissioner of Police, On increasing stress levels of policemen in the city, and what can be done about it.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How stressful is the life of a policeman?</span><br /><br />On an average, we work more than 12-14 hours everyday, which leads to irregular work hours and eating habits.As a result, health takes a major beating. We are also constantly working against time constraints - be it a bandobast, night rounds, case detection or prosecutions in court. <br /><br />It''s a high stress job and our actions are in the public focus, which makes it even more necessary to show quick results. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What are the major factors that lead to work-related stress?</span><br /><br />Apart from long hours, night rounds and shortage of staff, election campaigns also require pooling in of maximum manpower. As far as staff shortage goes, crime figures, area of the city and its population decides the policing strength. <br /><br />Thanks to constantly changing demography and industrialisation, we are never able to catch up with development and have to bear the brunt with minimal resources.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What has been done to improve this situation?</span><br /><br />From our end we''ve done everything. Every year, we send proposals to the state government for certain posts, stations and manpower. Whatever budget is allocated, we prioritise our affairs and then distribute the funds accordingly.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What can be done to improve the stressful working conditions?</span><br /><br />We have already implemented a state-wide Refresher Training Programme where policemen are taught yoga and the Art of Living. <br /><br />We are also proactively looking into giving more days off to the staff and have been creating a positive working environment. We also encourage regular health checkups and physical training.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">In such a situation, what can the public do to help?</span><br /><br />The police have always been outnumbered by mobs. In such a situation, citizens must act as our extended arm and pass on all information on crimes and disorders in the city.</div> </div>