In his keenness for micromanaging police affairs and multitasking, DGP Loknath Behera always want his subordinate officers near him during the long hours he spent in his office.
His workaholic nature is evident from his schedule for his last four days in office –– 20 ‘official’ programmes and numerous ‘unscheduled’ ones.
In the midst of all this he took time to speak to TOI during his morning walk on the day before stepping down as the state police chief.
Excerpts: How equipped is Kerala Police to counter new-age terrorist attacks like the recent drone strike in Jammu? We are fully equipped to tackle ground and coastal attacks, but attacks like the one using a drone is a matter of serious concern.
Anti-drone systems are extremely expensive and are not readily available.
We have already proposed that the government seek help from the Centre and agencies like the DRDO and NTRO regarding this aspect, as we have several critical assets to protect.
How equipped is the force to handle natural disasters, especially in high altitude and inaccessible terrains like Pettimudy and Kavalappara? To begin with, we have introduced disaster management in the induction training syllabus for constables and sub-inspectors.
All battalions have also been given training in rescue and rehabilitation.
We have also set up a high-altitude training centre at Kuttikkanam in collaboration with the ITBP.
But what we lack is a state disaster response force on the lines of NDRF.
Our proposal in this regard is under the consideration of the government.
There is a criticism that the police are spending more time and resources for activities like social policing, compromising grass root policing.
Not because of social policing.
Usual policing duties have been affected to some extent due to the recent natural disasters and the current pandemic.
At least 30,000 police personnel are put on Covid-related duties every day.
For the first time, police faced criticism from the CAG on fund utilisation and purchases.
Wouldn’t that be a blot on the Kerala Police and also your tenure? Not at all.
The CAG has only pointed out technical aspects and not propriety issues.
We have explained all the points raised, with facts, before the public accounts committee which is the only body that can take cognizance of these matters.
For example, regarding the shortage of guns, we physically counted them and explained that we have not lost any of them.
There is criticism on changes in the police power structure.
Transferring the powers of SHOs from SIs to circle inspectors has cut down the supervisory control of DPCs over SHOs (as DPCs have the power to transfer only up to the level of SIs).
How would you comment on that? This is only the view of some officers who want the power to be vested with them.
In fact, we have received feedback from the public that this was a good decision as an experienced officer like inspector becomes a SHO instead of an inexperienced sub-inspector.
Also, by handing over charge of SHOs to inspectors, we could divide the police stations into law and order, investigation and social policing divisions under separate SIs as envisaged by the Supreme Court.
Kerala Police has been criticised for the recent Maoist killings.
There are allegations that this was done to ensure central funds for the force.
The charges are baseless.
Dealing with Maoism is not about encounter killing.
We had even framed a surrender policy, including rehabilitation projects for Maoists.
But when you find a person inside a reserve forest pointing a rifle at you, we will have to act.
There was news that you were a frontrunner for the CBI chief’s post.
Has your career as Kerala Police chief, cost you politically? I have no idea about that aspect.
But I was hopeful about being chosen as CBI director as I was the most experienced among the shortlisted officers.
When the clause that you need six months of service to be considered for the post was applied, it scuttled my chances.
I was sad that day, but I got over it as it is for the government to take the decisions.
There has always been criticism that the intense grip of police associations with political leanings on the force has compromised its discipline.
What have you done about this in your long tenure as police chief? Trust me, the associations have never interfered in my work or made my work difficult.
Their work is limited to the general welfare of the members of the force.
It is true that they have given several representations regarding transfers and postings.
Several new units and divisions have been introduced in the police, like the 25 new subdivisions.
But how effective would they be without increasing the strength of the force? Kerala police is adequately staffed, provided that people are ready to multitask, which is the golden rule in policing.
Also, with the introduction of technology, manpower can be saved.
Installation of cameras could cut down night patrolling.