Now help desk at police stations

BHUBANESWAR: Usually-unfriendly that the police stations are, they are acquiring a welcome face in the twin cities. Call it the influence of corporate culture or the need for the oft-repeated “human face,” police stations under Commissionerate of Police have Help Desks operating from Wednesday. People seeking relief will now be greeted by personnel manning the “May I Help You” desk at the police stations. They will be offered water, provided with pen and paper to write their complaints and even given necessary assistance over who to approach in the station. Those coming to the stations for the first time to lodge a complaint or seeking help will be directed to the Inspector or any other sub-ordinate officer in charge. The desk will also help people with who to approach in case of follow-ups. The whole idea behind this initiative of the Commissionerate of  Police is to remove the sense of awkwardness and the apprehension that complainants have, said an officer adding the “experience of common people seeking redressal at police stations is set to change for good.” Similarly, support services like passport verification and other information will also be handled by the personnel assigned to the desk. The Commissionerate of Police has specifically trained its men for this purpose too. Two constables will man the desks in two shifts in each police station.