Policing won’t be a road show: Bengaluru\'s new top cop Bhaskar Rao

Bengaluru: New Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, after taking charge on Friday, hinted at a U-turn of the functioning of the police department under him from previous top cop Alok Kumar’s style of policing. After assuming office, he told the media, “There will be no showdown by the police. We will not harass people, and we will not make them run around.” The police will not create any situation where people have to jump from buildings, he emphasised. Mr Rao said that he will increase the trust of the people in the police department. “It will not just be a lip-service. Our efforts will be to see that the people genuinely feel a sense of belonging with us,” he said.

No tolerance for drugs
Mr Rao said that drug peddling is rampant in city’s schools and colleges. “We will have zero-tolerance towards drugs. We are going to involve schools, colleges and families to fight the menace,” he said.

He felt that there is widespread goondaism and extortion in the city. “We will crack down on this with a heavy hand. DCPs are responsible. No excuse for them,” he warned.

Strict action will be taken against Ponzi schemes, and FIRs will be registered, even if it shows as crime rate going up, he said. Bengaluru is also home to a large number of outsiders as they are pouring in from across the state and country. “Providing a secure atmosphere is our duty,” he said. “No one should feel unsafe. I will give out a message that, we are there with you forever, and it applies to all the 1.35 crore Bengalureans,” he said.