At the Pune Book Festival at the Fergusson College Grounds, huge boards were announcing from the start that one of the opportunities to meet the author was IPS officer Meeran Chadha Borwankar, who retired as DG Bureau of Police Research and Development and would write a book. who brought the storm, Madam Commissioner.
Madam Commissioner It is one of the few books that openly discusses systemic issues in policing and the criminal justice system. After Borwankar took the stage on Friday, the book fair venue was almost full. She explained how in India, the police force faces many challenges in maintaining law and order, especially when resources are thin, and the justice system is slow. Borwankar’s session was called “Women, Khaki and Leadership.”
“Now that I have retired, I can say that the police force should be improved,” Borwankar said in an interaction with the audience. She recounted an incident where two girls were molested in a cafe, but this control room recording helped officers quickly identify and respond to the situation. “We must invest in technology for better documentation, so that we can hold officials accountable and verify our actions when necessary,” she said.
According to Borwankar, another important aspect of modern policing is citizen involvement. She recalls a case where citizens provided vital information that led to the arrest of a suspect, highlighting how collaboration between police and the community can significantly increase law enforcement effectiveness. “We need citizens to be our partners, not just our critics. If they are informed and engaged, we can make policing more effective and fair,” Borwankar said.
She opened up about the gender bias she faced. “Being a woman in a male-dominated field means you have to work hard, but it also provides a unique perspective on leadership,” she said.
In her book, Madam Commissioner, Borwankar highlights the importance of having well-trained officers who are not only physically fit but also equipped with the necessary skills to handle the complexities of modern law enforcement. She advocates better training and the use of innovative policing methods, in which academics and practitioners work together to bridge knowledge gaps.
After the event, she told The Indian Express, “We need to encourage our ground-level officers to believe that they are leaders and problem solvers. If we fail to do that, we create a culture where people are reactive rather than proactive.”
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