Announcements

Institutionalisation of Community-Policing Partnership: Saanjh Kendra in Punjab

THE Institute for Development and Communication (IDC), Chandigarh conceptualised the idea of an institutionalised community policing programme in Punjab and proposed the same to the Government of Punjab in the late 1990s. This was a unique experiment implemented in post-terrorism phase in Punjab. The underlying idea was to motivate people to own a police station, the way they own a school, dispensary or community centre.

For this, police reforms were initiated from a police station rather than from above. There is an in-build inhibition in people to visit police stations. The mere idea of visiting a police station sounds fearful and makes them apprehensive. After a decade of research it was found that there is a spatial disconnect with the police station, howsoever modernised it may be. Hence this experiment.

The idea was conceived under the leadership of Dr. Pramod Kumar, Director, IDC, Chandigarh. In February, 2001, the Director IDC was engaged as a resource person and IDC as a resource agency through a Memorandum of Understanding on community policing by the Punjab Police under a framework of cooperation to develop an academic understanding of community policing with a regional approach. The outcome of this engagement resulted in the form of Community Policing Resource Centres, and the Government of Punjab approved the setting up of District level Community Policing Resource Centres (CPRCs) vide its Memo No. 16/163/2002-4H(5)/415 dated 28.01.2003, and a detailed standing order was prepared and circulated to all the districts to establish Community Policing Resource Centres.

In April 2003, vide DO No. 216/PA/OSD L&O dated 22.04.2003 by the OSD (Law & Order) – Cum – Nodal Officer Community Policing Punjab, requested IDC to formally accord its consent for acting as an expert facility for developing training resource materials and packages for the smooth running of the Community Policing Centres (CPRCs), sensitisation and awareness generation among the opinion-making sections and imparting specialised training. The Institute for Development and Communication (IDC) played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and shaping the Saanjh community policing initiative in Punjab.

1. 1. Research and Conceptualization:
• The Institute for Development and Communication (IDC), based in Chandigarh, is a renowned think tank focusing on governance, development, and institutional reforms. IDC was central in researching and conceptualizing the community policing framework in Punjab, drawing from global best practices and tailoring them to the local context.
• IDC, under the leadership of Dr. Pramod Kumar, conducted extensive studies on policing, public trust, and law enforcement efficiency, identifying the need for a more people-friendly and transparent system of policing.
2. 2. Policy Advisory:
• IDC advised the Punjab Police and the Punjab Government on how to improve police-public relations and promote accountability and transparency in police functioning.
• It provided the intellectual and policy framework for Saanjh Kendras, advocating the decentralization of police services, making police services more accessible, and promoting community collaboration.
3. 3. Capacity Building and Training:
• IDC facilitated training programs for police officers to sensitize them to the new model of community policing. The institute played a key role in developing training modules and workshops to ensure that police officers understood the principles of collaborative policing and were equipped to engage with the public effectively.
4. 4. Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
• IDC helped in designing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the functioning of Saanjh Kendras. These procedures ensured consistency in service delivery, defined clear timelines for different police services, and outlined the responsibilities of officers, promoting efficiency and transparency.
5. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation:
• IDC developed tools and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the performance of Saanjh Kendras. Regular audits and feedback mechanisms were established to ensure that the centers were delivering services efficiently and meeting the community’s expectations.
6. 6. Public Engagement and Awareness:
• IDC also played a role in promoting public awareness about Saanjh Kendras and their services. It conducted outreach programs and organized community dialogues to inform the public about how they could benefit from the Saanjh initiative.

IDC’s efforts and advocacy prompted the State to provide the support of a statutory mandate to the CPRCs for its sustenance through a provision in Punjab Police Act, 2007, under Section 14. The Memorandum of Understanding with IDC was renewed in 2010 to provide the expert facility for the next five years vide DO No. 1200/R/ADGP/HRD & CP by then Director General of Police.

As Chairperson of Punjab Governance Reforms Commission (2009-2017), Pramod Kumar further evolved community policing centres in a new format which ensured standardisation, self-sustenance, community participation and better outreach at the lower police administrative level and proposed the same to the government. Pramod Kumar provided Professional Supports for Conceptualization, Implementation and Evaluation. It includes:

1. 1. Visionary Leadership
• He provided visionary leadership in shaping Saanjh as a community policing model. His extensive work on police reforms and governance provided the foundation for Saanjh’s structure, focusing on improving public trust in law enforcement.
2. 2. Key Architect of the Initiative
• As a key architect of the Saanjh model, his work was rooted in creating a more democratic, transparent, and decentralized police system. He advocated for police-community collaboration as the central pillar of effective law enforcement, which is the essence of Saanjh.
3. 3. Promoting Accountability
• He emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in policing, and under his guidance, Saanjh Kendras were designed to be service centers where citizens could access police services without fear or intimidation, minimizing corruption and delays.
4. 4. Social Integration of Policing
• His vision was to integrate policing with community welfare by ensuring that police act as a support system for addressing broader social issues, such as drug addiction, domestic violence, and community disputes. His approach was to transform the police from a purely law enforcement agency to a community partner in development.
5. 5. Institutionalizing Reforms
• The main departure was from ad hoc and individual initiatives to institutionalization of police reforms in Punjab. His influence ensured that Saanjh became more than just an experimental initiative but a permanent part of Punjab’s policing structure, with long-term impacts on governance and public service delivery.
6. 6. Bridging the Trust Deficit:
• One of Dr. Kumar’s central goals was to address the trust deficit between the police and the public. He promoted a people-centric approach where the police were seen not as a force to fear but as a facilitator of community welfare and security.

The program was named as Saanjh. The term “Saanjh” means partnership or collaboration, reflecting the spirit of cooperation between the police and the community. Saanjh policing was initiated by the Punjab Police under the leadership of the then Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab. It was part of a larger effort by the Government of Punjab to modernize the police force and implement community-oriented policing practices in the state. The initiative was supported by both state and central government policies aimed at improving public service delivery and enhancing police-citizen relations.

The role of Sh. S.K. Sharma, IPS (Retd.), DGP Punjab and Sh. Ishwar Singh, IPS, DGP Punjab were also significant in making Saanjh Programme a success. Their efforts made the community policing centres function efficiently in Punjab. This was further provided continuity by Ms Neeraja Voruvuru, IPS the then IGP Punjab. The role of Saanjh Kendras in providing non-crime related public services was even recognized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, as a part of broader police reforms by institutionalizing community policing. These centers are part of a larger initiative aimed at transforming how police services are delivered and improving public engagement with law enforcement. In view of this, the Union Ministry of Home affairs vide letter No. N-28016(03)/1/2020-SP(SPC and MM-II) dated 23rd June 2021, asked the state governments to adopt this model.

‘Saanjh’ project is an institutionalised set up of management of 27 Community Police Resource Centres (District ‘Saanjh Kendras’), 114 Community Policing Suvidha Centres (Sub Division ‘Saanjh Kendras’) and 363 Police Station Outreach Centres (Police Station ‘Saanjh Kendras’) in the State. These Saanjh Kendras and Community Affairs Division (CAD) at Police Headquarters and 07 offices of Range DIGs are connected with a Central Server via the internet. A self-financed programme which functions as a society that ensures public participation, SAANJH has been lauded as an unique institutionalised community policing initiative by various national and international organisations.

Hence, on October 17, 2011, Government of Punjab decided to open community policing centres at lower administrative levels such as subdivisions and police stations named as Community Policing Suvidha Centres (CPSCs) at Sub-Division and Police Station Outreach Centres (PSOCs) at Police Station level.

Key Features of Saanjh Policing:

1. 1. Convergence: SAANJH is not a standalone programme. It has its convergence with policing structure, civil society, civil administration and IT applications.
• Convergence with police: To converge with the regular policing, SAANJH Kendras were established at each administrative level of the police department, namely, State police headquarters, range offices, district headquarters, police offices at the sub-division level and the core level, i.e. police stations.
• Convergence with the Community: SAANJH Kendras work as Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) which are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and are managed by a governing body called – SAANJH Committee, which is inevitable for the functioning of any organization registered under this Act. District SAANJH Committees, Sub-division SAANJH Committees and Police Station SAANJH Committees have members from the police department, civil administration, and community.
• Convergence with Civil Administration: The SAANJH Committees have built representation of the civil administration. In the formation of these committees, the officials of the civil administration are also given representation as the ex-officio committee members, apart from the police.
• Convergence with Information and Technology: The Central server of SAANJH has been established at the Police Lines, Ludhiana, and is the main bedrock of this project. This Central server runs all the time.
2. 2. Community Participation:
• Saanjh policing emphasizes the involvement of local communities in maintaining law and order, with a focus on building trust and cooperation between citizens and the police.
• Citizens can actively participate in solving local issues, reducing crime, and ensuring better law enforcement through collaborative dialogue.
3. 3. Decentralized Service Delivery:
• Services previously managed at police stations are now offered at Saanjh Kendras (community policing centers) spread across districts and sub-districts. These centers decentralize police services to make them more accessible to the public.
• Saanjh Kendras handle various administrative functions, such as verification of passports, tenant verification, and issuing character certificates.
4. 4. One-Stop Solution:
• Saanjh Kendras provide a range of services under one roof, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and delays.
• Services include:
• FIR (First Information Report) registration.
• Passport verification.
• Licensing processes (arms licenses, vehicle registration, etc.).
• NOCs (No Objection Certificates) for various activities.
• Grievance redressal.
5. 5. Citizen-Friendly Infrastructure:
• The centers are designed to be citizen-friendly, offering a welcoming atmosphere with modern facilities.
• Saanjh Kendras are equipped with computers, digital systems, and trained staff to ensure quick and efficient service delivery.
6. 6. Transparency and Accountability:
• The initiative aims to increase transparency in police functioning by providing public access to services and reducing opportunities for corruption.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and fixed timelines for service delivery ensure that citizens receive timely responses.
7. 7. Public Grievance Redressal:
• Saanjh Kendras serve as a platform for citizens to file grievances or complaints against police personnel or administrative matters.
• The grievance mechanism promotes accountability and ensures that complaints are addressed in a transparent and timely manner.
8. 8. Technology Integration:
• Online services are provided for many routine police-related tasks, allowing citizens to access services through a user-friendly digital interface.
• Integration with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) ensures that services are linked with the broader police information systems, enhancing efficiency and data sharing.
9. 9. Police-Public Partnership Committees:
• To enhance collaboration, each Saanjh Kendra is supported by Police-Public Partnership Committees (PPPCs), consisting of members from the local community, NGOs, and the police.
• These committees work together to address local crime and social issues, like drug abuse, traffic management, and communal harmony.
10. 10. Awareness Programs:
• Saanjh centers regularly organize awareness campaigns on various topics like road safety, drug prevention, cybercrime, and women’s safety to foster proactive community involvement.
• The initiative also focuses on educating the public about their rights and legal processes.
11. 11. Focus on Vulnerable Groups:
• Special attention is given to vulnerable populations, including women, children, and senior citizens. Saanjh Kendras facilitate quick police responses in cases related to domestic violence, missing persons, and senior citizen safety.