The Pune police has started a public-private partnership initiative to improve law and order. As a part of this initiative, guards with registered private security agencies will be roped in to assist the police during emergency situations. These guards have been issued special police messenger ID cards. Whatsapp groups have also been formed at police stations to bridge the gap between police and security agencies.
This has been done to improve communications and assist police in emergency situations. Over 1500 security agencies comprising around 50,000 security guards are registered with Pune police. The guards are deployed at industries, business establishments , housing societies and other places.
As per the directions issued by the city Police Commissioner, Mr K Venkatesham, senior police officers have started holding meetings with security agencies. Explaining the purpose behind holding such meetings, DCP ( Zone 5), Suhas Banwache, said ‘“security agencies are doing business in industrial zones and other places. We feel the guards appointed by the agencies need to remain alert. If the guards come across some illegal activity, they should alert the police who in turn will control the activities.” He said ‘“It has also come to our notice that several agencies are illegally running business without obtaining licenses from the police. It has been found that the agencies instead of recruiting trained guards are rendering services by untrained men. The idea behind holding a dialogue with security agencies is to ensure deputation of guards to help police maintain law and order”.
