The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Probationers of 70 RR (2017 Batch) of the Indian Police Service from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on October 12, 2018.

A AKHTER / NEW DELHI

President Ram Nath Kovind today said that Indian Police Service was one of the pillars of national administrative system and defined the trust of common citizens in the country’s police forces. Mr Kovind was addressing the officers trainees of 2017 batch of Indian Police Service at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Emphasising that being an IPS officer places an enormous responsibility on their shoulders, the President said, citizens see them as officers who will uphold the rule of law and enable delivery of justice. He said, being an IPS officer gives them privileges and powers that are actually tools to serve the people. He said, their primary duty is to serve common citizens, and ensure justice to the poorest of the poor.

Mr Kovind said, as members of an All-India Service, they will serve in individual states and will also represent a national idea. He pointed out that their mandate is to uphold a common concept of the rule of law and of Indian democratic polity. Mr Kovind said, they are guardians of not just public order and honest conduct – but of the majesty of the law. He said, governments come and go, but they represent continuity as well as the Constitution.

Mr Kovind called for making basic policing better which will be the hallmark of a sensitive and professional police force. He said, this will help in building an environment where citizens fear and respect the law – rather than fear the law enforcer. The President said, police forces must invest in building specialisation to prevent, manage and mitigate white collar and corporate crimes. The President encouraged the use of technology by police force to provide due service to the citizen without needing to visit the police station.