BANGALORE CITY POLICE

CITIZEN’S CHARTER

  JULY,  2007  

Price Rs. 10 per copy (English/Kannada)

MISSION OF BANGALORE CITY POLICE

The mission of

Bangalore City Police is to

Ensure that the law is upheld fairly and firmly;

Prevent crime; pursue and bring to justice

Those who break the law;

Keep the peace in partnership with the community;

Protect, help and reassure the people;

Work and be perceived as working without fear, favour or prejudice and

With integrity and courtesy to all.

SECTION - I  

                                             Introduction  

1. Every citizen or visitor residing in the City of Bangalore has a right to expect a peaceful, socially harmonious and crime-free life in the City. This casts an enormous responsibility on the Bangalore City Police to maintain public order, prevention and detection of crimes and management of traffic, etc. This Citizen’s Charter is primarily intended as a tool for the Bangalore City Police in discharging its responsibility.

  2. The objective of this Charter is to commit its efforts to serve the citizens of Bangalore as per specified norms, with courtesy, sincerity and dedication and without prejudice.  This Charter describes the various services, which the Police is mandated to perform, the standards and norms for such services, the grievance redress mechanism available to the citizens in case of dissatisfaction with the services provided.

  3. This Citizen’s Charter also describes what the Police in turn expect from the public by way of   co-operation and assistance in discharging their duties.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Bangalore City Police

  4.  The main duties and responsibilities of the Bangalore City Police are as below:

• Maintenance of Public Order;
• Prevention and Detection of crime;
• Management of Traffic;
• Providing specific services as mandated by the Government from time to time.

Jurisdiction of the Bangalore City Police

  5. The territorial jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City is as specified by the State Government from time to time. The present jurisdiction is as shown in annexure XIV.

Organisation of Bangalore City Police 

  6. The Bangalore City Police is headed by the Commissioner of Police who is in the rank of Additional Director General of Police. He is assisted by Additional  Commissioners of Police (in the rank of Inspector General of Police), Joint Commissioner of Police (in the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (in the rank of Superintendent of Police). The detailed organizational chart and span of control is given vide Annexure I to XIII.

  7. The Bangalore City Police is divided into various wings i.e. Law & Order, Traffic, Crime, Administration, City Armed Reserve, Intelligence, VVIP Security etc. as per above Annexure.

  8. For jurisdictional purpose, the Bangalore City Police is divided into six Law & Order divisions i.e. East Division, West Division, Central Division, North Division, South Division & South-East Division. Similarly the Traffic Police is divided into Traffic East Division & Traffic West Division. Each division  is headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police. Both Law & Order and Traffic Divisions are further divided into Sub-divisions and Police Stations.

  9.  Each Police Station is  headed by a Police Inspector. The Police Station is the nerve centre of the policing and works round the clock. There are separate Traffic Police Stations for the purpose of traffic management and investigation. The Police Inspector is supported by contingent of police head constables and constables. 

10. There are two All Women Police Stations dealing exclusively in offences against women.                          

   Office Address :        Commissioner of Police,
                                                No.1, Bhagavan  Mahaveer Jain  Road, 
                                                 (Infantry Road), Bangalore-560 001

          Telephone Nos.            080-22200914 / 22942222 / 22943322

                    Fax -                       080-22250999

        Web Site:              www.bcp.gov.in    

        E-mail:                   bangalorecitypolice@rediffmail.com

Services Provided By Bangalore City Police

  11.   I.  At the office of the Commissioner of Police

(A)    Control Room    

• Dial 100 (Toll Free) to provide/receive information about Police assistance,  bundhs, strikes, major festivals fire and other accidents and emergencies round the clock. Hoysala & Cheetah services are deployed for prompt action.  

• Dial 103 (Toll Free) for reporting on traffic matters, jams, accidents and other        emergencies round the clock. Cobra services are deployed for traffic related        emergencies.

(B)    N.G.O’s - Help Lines  

·         Dial 1091   Toll free    –    VANITHA SAHAYA VANI (Women’s Help Line)

·         Dial 1098   Toll free    –    MAKKALA SAHAYA VANI (Children’s Help Line)

·         Dial 1090   Toll free    –    SENIOR CITIZENS (Elder’s Help Line)

(C)    Special Branch: Single Window System  

·         Verification of Passport applications

·         Registration of foreigners and their residential/exit permits, extension of stay etc.

·         Police Clearance Certificate for Emigration purpose

·         Verification of antecedents for employment and domestic help purpose

        Other miscellaneous verification services.  

(D)    Arms and Magisterial: Single Window System

          Issue of licenses and permits for the following:

·         Arms and ammunitions license normally within 45 days
.         Fire crackers/explosives license 
·         No Objection Certificate for high rise buildings with respect to provisions for parking 
.         No Objection Certificate for facilities such as petroleum outlets, storage of hazardous 
          materials etc.

II.        At the Offices of the Deputy Commissioners of Police in-charge of Division

• Certified copies of documents pertaining to investigation of   cases etc. 
  (at a nominal fee of Rs.2/- per page)  

• No Objection Certificate for processions/public meetings/entertainment 
  show   etc, within the Division limits.

• Loudspeaker permission within the Division limits

III.      At the Offices of Deputy Commissioner of Police – Traffic  

·     Certified copies of documents pertaining to investigation of   cases etc on payment of charges ( Rs.51 for non-fatal and Rs.81 for fatal cases) such as spot mahazar, rough sketch of the accident spot, report of the Inspector of Motor Vehicles, final investigation report, post mortem report in case of death, inquest proceeding, and wound certificate where applicable

·         Permission to ply heavy vehicles in prohibited roads

·         Display cards for auto-rickshaw drivers

·         No Objection Certificate for road shows

·         No Objection Certificate for international driving license

·         Permission for film shooting

·         Road  cutting  permission

·         No Objection Certificate for advertisement hoardings

IV.      Services Provided at all Police Stations  

• Registration and Investigation of all cognizable offences under various laws        including the   social legislation and issue of First Information Report (FIR ) copy free of cost to the  complainant.
• Receipt of miscellaneous complaints of non-cognizable offences,   petty cases, petitions, etc and issue of acknowledgements (Form 76-A).
• Follow up of investigation including visit to scene of offence.
• Periodical information on progress of the investigation to the complainant     (30  days, 60 days and 90 days).
• Filing of Final Reports /charge sheets in courts after completion of investigation of cases.
• Granting permission for using loudspeakers, use of public spaces for pandals, processions, dharnas etc. within that Police Station jurisdiction.
• Providing documents required to be filed before Motor   Vehicle Accident             Claims Tribunal  (Traffic Police Stations).

·     Police Public Interface -

-  Citizens Committee meetings

-  Peace Committee meetings

-  Mohalla Committee meetings

-  Visits and meetings in Harijan colonies

Standards & Norms For Service Delivery

  12.  The table given below summarizes the standards and norms established by Bangalore City Police to attend to complaints and requests related to the services available from it. While all efforts will be made to adhere to the given time limits, the citizens are requested to appreciate the compelling priorities and circumstances obtaining in the Police Stations etc. and bear with any slight delays. However, they are encouraged to bring such delays to the notice of the PRO for remedial actions in the future.

Note:  For definition of ‘cognizable’ and ‘non-cognizable’ offence read Section II.

13.   Table Of Fees Charged For Various Services Is Given Below:  

 14.   Preferably, complaints must be registered at the jurisdictional   police station where the alleged offence took place. However, there is no bar on registering at any other Police Station in the City; but the official transfer to the police station concerned might entail some delay.

  15.   Station House Officer is the Police Inspector in charge of the Police Station. However in his/her absence, whoever is the senior most official not below the rank of Head Constable available at the Police Station assumes the duties and responsibilities of SHO.

Courtesy And Reception At The Police Stations

  16.   During the visits to the Police Stations, utmost efforts will be made to provide the visitors with 

the following facilities-

     -         A seat in the reception area; drinking water and toilets facility ;

-         Meeting with the  SHO or his representative;

-         Hear with courtesy and consideration;

-         Provide with information and clarifications regarding the  assistance sought  from the Police Station;

-         Either the SHO or a police official deputed by him will visit the scene of the offence forthwith.

 SECTION II: REPORTING CRIMES AND INVESTIGATION

PROCEEDURES FOR ACTION.

Registering Complaints at a Police Station 

17.   What are the types of offences usually complained against?

Under the relevant laws (Criminal Procedure Code), offences fall under two categories, namely, cognizable and non- cognizable.

§  “Cognizable offence” means an offence for which a police officer may, in accordance with the first schedule (of the Act) or under any other law for the time being in force, arrest without warrant.

§   “Non-cognizable offence” means an offence for which a police officer has no authority to arrest without warrant. “Offence” means an act or omission made punishable by any law for the time being in force. (Also refer to Section 40 of the IPC.)

18 .  Who can file a complaint before the Police?

  An aggrieved person, his relatives or friends, or a person who has information or knowledge about the commission of a crime or offence may file a complaint before the police. Apart from the usual crimes against person and property, there are several other offences such as demanding and accepting of dowry, matrimonial harassments, and cyber crimes etc., which also entail filing of complaints.

19.   How members of the public can file a complaint at a Police Station?

A complaint may be filed by one of the following methods:

-    Personally visiting the police station.

-    Dropping the complaint in the mailboxes placed at every police station.

-    Writing to the ACP /DCP concerned

-    By telephone call to the jurisdictional Police station or Police Control Room (Dial 100).

-    By E-mail to 

-   This could also be accessed through the web site:   www.bcp.gov.in

20.   What is the procedure to register a complaint?  

· If a complaint made to the police discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, the police station concerned will issue a First Information Report (FIR). No fees or charges will be payable for the FIR. In case the complaint is made orally, the Station House Officer (SHO) in charge of the station will reduce the complaint into writing, and read it over to the complainant to attest its correctness, and get his signature / thumb impression in token of his acceptance. The complaint can be in English or Kannada or any language known to the complainant.

·  In case the complaint does not disclose the occurrence of a cognizable offence, the SHO may decline to investigate further, and refer the complainant to the Court under section 155 of Cr.P.C. However, if such a complaint is made in writing, the SHO will issue an acknowledgement for the same in Form 76-A.  

· In case you are not satisfied with the above, you may approach the appropriate court for orders requiring the police to register and investigate the case. As such there is no bar to investigate non cognizable cases after obtaining permission from the court.

21.   How is investigation conducted?  

 · On registration of a case, the Police will visit the scene of occurrence and collect evidence both   documentary and oral and continue the investigation further.

 · During the course of the investigation, the Investigating Officer will keep the complainant informed of the progress of the investigation periodically or when requested for. After the completion of the investigation, a final report will be submitted to the appropriate court, under intimation to the complainant. In case charge sheet is not filed, the complainant can challenge the same in the appropriate Court of Law. 

22.   What is your recourse if the Police Station declines to register the complaint?

  Normally, occasions for such refusals may be rare in the case of cognizable offences. However, if it occurs, you may approach the jurisdictional Deputy Commissioner of Police who in turn will examine the matter and take necessary action, as required, and keep you informed.

Rights Of Citizens

23.   The rights of citizens have been codified in the Law, and include the following-

i) Even in a case of cognizable offence, arrests will normally be made only with a duly issued arrest warrant, unless exceptional circumstances necessitate the same. These may be major offences such as murder, grievous hurt, rape, robbery etc., which will call for deterrent action to prevent the perpetrator from escaping, or evading the process of law.  

ii) When an arrest is made, the police officer apprehending the person will bear clear identification by way of name tags designation etc. Police may use force, if warranted, while making the arrest, however, will protect the dignity of the arrested person. For instance, there will be no public display or parading of the arrested persons(s).   

iii) The Police officer, arresting the person will prepare a memo of the arrest, which will be got attested by a witness available at the site. Importantly, the arrested person will be granted access to contact his relatives and lawyers.    

iv) Women will not be normally arrested during the nights, unless totally unavoidable. Moreover, it will be ensured that women police officers are present when women are taken into custody.   

  v) When children and juveniles are required to be arrested, Police will bestow special care to avoid any force whatever. Further, one or more respectable citizens of the locality will be associated on such occasions to ensure that minimal coercion is employed and that they are not frightened.   

  vi) Women & children below 15 years of age are entitled to refuse to go to the Police Station from their place of residence, if they are summoned from a Police Station. 

  vii) The arrested persons will be produced in the jurisdictional courts within 24 hours of the arrest. Further, interrogations of the accused will be in consonance with the recognized rights to life, dignity and protection against torture and degrading treatments.

  viii) An arrested person remanded to the Police custody by the Court has to be examined by a government doctor and a Medical Certificate obtained. Articles, which are seized from the arrested person, will be produced before the court and the person could reclaim only under the orders of the court.  

SECTION III: TRAFFIC AND ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT

   Road Accidents:

  24. In the event of a road accident involving injuries to those involved, the police officer who arrives at the scene will first render all possible help to give medical aid to the victims. Subsequently, the police station concerned will provide following documents:   

  i)  FIR, free of charge.   

ii) Information required to be given (free) as per the Motor Vehicles Act, and to be sent to
    Legal Services Authority for the purpose of compensation in MACT.

Hit And Run Cases  

25.  In hit and run cases resulting in grievous injury or death, where the culprit is not traceable, applications may be filed for claiming compensation under the "Solatium Scheme, 1989" with in six months of the accident. In case of death, the maximum compensation is Rs.25,000/- and in case of grievous injuries, it is