Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday (August 14, 2026) formally launched the ‘My Police Station’ project that aims to transform police stations into accessible and citizen-friendly service centres.
Speaking at the State-level launch of the initiative at Peroorkada police station premises in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Satheesan said the project sought to make the police a “friend” and a source of support for people, while retaining the deterrent role of the force against crime.
The programme, he added, should create a sense among citizens that the police station belongs to them and that the police would stand by them in times of distress.
The Chief Minister said the initiative was particularly important at a time when the nature of crime was changing rapidly, with cybercrime, drug-related offences and technology-driven crimes posing new challenges. The police force would have to equip itself with modern technology and investigative capabilities to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminals, he said.
Mr. Satheesan also stressed the need for courteous behaviour towards people visiting police stations. Citizens approach police stations for filing complaints, reporting crimes and obtaining verification and other services. Women, children and elderly persons were among those who frequently visit stations, and they should be received with dignity and compassion, he pointed out.
Delivering the presidential address, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the project was designed to transform all 484 police stations in the State into more welcoming and citizen-oriented institutions.
He pointed out that police stations should no longer be viewed as places meant only for criminals or people facing legal trouble. Like village and panchayat offices, they should function as public service centres that the people could approach for assistance.
He also announced a series of organisational changes aimed at making the police force more responsive. Sub-Inspectors would be given greater operational responsibilities by being appointed as Station House Officers (SHOs), while Circle Inspectors would take up supervisory responsibilities over selected stations. Notably, as many as 63 police stations would have women serving as SHOs under the proposed changes, he said.
The Home Minister said senior police officers would also be required to visit police stations regularly and submit reports so that shortcomings could be identified and corrective measures introduced.
He emphasised that police personnel should respect legal safeguards and Supreme Court directives relating to arrests and custody. With CCTV cameras installed in police stations, including lock-ups, the department must ensure that custodial violence and deaths did not occur, he said.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh, State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, Home Secretary Minhaj Alam, and Additional Director General of Police and ‘My Police Station’ nodal officer P. Vijayan, and the Police Adviser to Home Minister A. Hemachandran were among those who participated in the programme.
Published - August 14, 2026 02:29 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
