Effective policing is not confined to responding to crime after it occurs; it also involves prevention, public awareness, community participation and building confidence among citizens, said Dr Satyajit Nayak, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Cuttack.
Dr Nayak emphasised the importance of police-public relations based on accessibility, courtesy, fairness and sensitivity. Citizens should be able to approach the police without unnecessary hesitation, while timely reporting of suspicious activities, sharing credible information and cooperation with investigations can strengthen public safety, he said.
The Central Range comprises Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Jajpur districts, each with its own law-and-order and public-safety challenges. According to Dr Nayak, prevention requires the participation of families, educational institutions, community organisations and citizens, particularly in addressing issues such as drug abuse, illegal gambling, cybercrime, excessive online gaming and road-safety violations.
He stressed the need for special attention to women, children and senior citizens. Complaints involving harassment, domestic violence, cyber abuse and other crimes should be handled with sensitivity, while vulnerable groups need responsive and accessible policing.
With cyber fraud and digital crimes increasing in complexity, public awareness has become an important component of policing. Citizens should protect passwords, avoid suspicious links, verify financial requests and report cyber fraud promptly, he said.
Dr Nayak also highlighted the growing role of technology in policing, including digitisation, data analysis, artificial intelligence and modern investigative tools. However, he said technology could complement but not replace human judgement, empathy and accountability.
Preparedness for natural disasters and large public gatherings is another important aspect of policing in Odisha. Cyclones, floods and major events such as the Rath Yatra require coordination among police and other agencies, along with public cooperation, he said. His experience in law-and-order management, disaster response and large gatherings has underscored the importance of advance planning and coordination.
He also underlined the role of physical fitness and discipline among police personnel, noting that sports and endurance activities can help develop teamwork, resilience and professional preparedness.
Traffic safety, he said, is a shared responsibility. Observing speed limits, wearing helmets and seat belts, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol and following traffic regulations are essential to reducing road accidents.
Dr Nayak said responsible communication was equally important during festivals and public gatherings. Citizens should avoid spreading rumours, provocative messages and unverified information, particularly on social media, where misleading content can spread rapidly.
“The uniform represents the authority of law, but it must also represent service, discipline and respect for citizens,” he said, stressing that public confidence and police professionalism are essential to effective policing.
The broader objective of modern policing, he said, should be to create an environment in which citizens feel safe, respected and confident of receiving assistance when required. Community participation, prevention and responsible citizenship, along with professional policing, can help build a safer society.
1. Policing Begins Before Crime
Policing is not defined only by what happens after a crime is committed. Its larger purpose is to prevent crime, protect citizens, build confidence and create an environment in which people feel safe approaching the police.
Modern policing therefore requires professional preparedness, public awareness, community participation, technology and mutual trust.
2. Seven Districts, Diverse Challenges
As Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Cuttack, I have sought to emphasise these dimensions of policing.
The Central Range covers Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Jajpur, each with different law-and-order requirements, public-safety challenges and community concerns.
3. Trust Is the Foundation
At the heart of effective policing is public trust.
Citizens approach police stations during some of the most difficult moments of their lives — to report crime, seek protection, find missing family members, report cyber fraud or seek emergency assistance.
A respectful response, patient hearing and timely assistance can significantly strengthen public confidence.
4. Police and Public Must Work Together
Police-public relations should be based on accessibility, courtesy, fairness and sensitivity.
Citizens should be able to approach the police without unnecessary fear or hesitation.
At the same time, citizens have a responsibility to report suspicious activities, share credible information, cooperate with investigations and follow lawful directions.
5. Prevention Is Better Than Reaction
Prevention must begin before a crime reaches the police station.
Drug abuse, illegal gambling, cyber fraud, road-safety violations and other social problems cannot be addressed through enforcement alone.
Families, schools, community organisations and citizens all have a role in identifying risks and encouraging responsible behaviour.
6. Protecting the Younger Generation
Young people deserve particular attention.
Awareness about substance abuse, cybercrime, excessive online gaming, road safety and responsible use of technology can prevent problems before they become serious.
Schools and colleges can become important platforms for interaction between young citizens and the police.
7. Women, Children and Senior Citizens
Women, children and senior citizens require special attention in community-oriented policing.
Women facing harassment, domestic violence, cyber abuse or other crimes should have confidence that their complaints will be heard sensitively.
Children require protection that recognises their vulnerability and dignity.
Senior citizens, particularly those living alone, benefit from regular community contact and responsive policing.
8. Cybercrime: A New Public-Safety Challenge
The changing nature of crime has made public awareness increasingly important.
Cybercrime and digital fraud can affect people irrespective of age, profession or location.
Citizens should protect passwords, avoid suspicious links, verify financial requests and report cyber fraud promptly.
9. Technology Can Strengthen Policing
Information technology, digitisation, data analysis, artificial intelligence and other technological tools can improve investigation, information management and crime detection.
My professional experience has also included technology-driven policing and work associated with the State Crime Records Bureau, where information technology and modernisation were important areas of responsibility.
10. Technology Must Have a Human Face
Technology cannot replace human judgement.
Behind every complaint is a person, and behind every case is a human story.
Professional competence must therefore go hand in hand with empathy, accountability and responsible use of authority.
11. Preparedness Is Critical
Odisha regularly faces cyclones, floods and other emergencies, while districts such as Puri witness large religious gatherings.
Police responsibilities during such situations extend beyond conventional law and order to crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response, evacuation support, inter-agency coordination and public communication.
12. Learning from Major Events
My experience in the Eastern Range, including law-and-order management, disaster response and large public gatherings, reinforced the importance of preparation and coordination.
Major events such as the Rath Yatra demonstrate that successful policing depends not only on the police but also on public cooperation and coordination among multiple agencies.
13. Fitness Is Part of Professional Readiness
Professional preparedness also includes physical fitness and mental alertness.
Police personnel may work long hours, respond to emergencies and operate under considerable pressure.
Sport can strengthen discipline, teamwork, resilience and the ability to perform under demanding circumstances.
My interests in marathon running, swimming, cycling, trekking and triathlon have reinforced the importance of fitness and discipline.
14. Community Policing Is a Partnership
Community policing is ultimately a partnership.
The police bring professional expertise, legal authority and investigative capabilities, while communities bring local knowledge and an understanding of their own concerns.
When these strengths come together, problems can be identified earlier and addressed more effectively.
15. Road Safety Is a Shared Responsibility
Traffic safety is an important example of police-public cooperation.
Enforcement is necessary, but lasting road safety also depends on responsible behaviour by motorists and pedestrians.
Wearing helmets and seat belts, observing speed limits, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol and respecting traffic regulations are shared responsibilities.
16. Responsible Behaviour During Public Events
The same principle applies during festivals, sporting events and other public gatherings.
Citizens should follow safety instructions, avoid provocative behaviour and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information.
In the social-media era, responsible communication has become an important part of public safety.
17. Authority Must Come With Responsibility
The police must remain professional, impartial and accountable.
Authority carries responsibility.
A uniform represents the power of the law, but it should also represent service, discipline and respect for citizens.
18. The Human Element Will Always Matter
The future of policing will be shaped by technology and modern investigative methods, but its foundation will remain human.
Technology can improve efficiency; trust encourages cooperation.
Laws provide authority; public confidence strengthens their implementation.
19. The Real Goal of Policing
The objective of policing is larger than simply maintaining law and order.
It is to create an environment in which citizens feel safe, respected and confident that assistance will be available when required.
When police personnel see themselves as members of the community and citizens recognise themselves as partners in public safety, the distance between the police and the people becomes smaller.
20. A Shared Responsibility
A safe society is a shared responsibility.
The police have a duty to protect citizens and uphold the law.
Citizens have a responsibility to obey the law, cooperate with the police and contribute to the safety of their communities.
21. The Way Forward
Modern policing must begin before the crime is committed — with awareness, preparedness, prevention, community participation and responsible citizenship.
The strength of a police institution is measured not only by how effectively it responds when something goes wrong, but also by how successfully it works with society to prevent problems and protect people in the first place.