Friendly police, a welcome overhaul

With the establishment of new model police stations equipped with officials trained in soft skills to deal with grieving victims, citizens can now notice a drastic change in policing. The police staff also share that they feel more positive working in spaces with more breathing room and better amenities. 

The idea of a police station used to bring to mind a picture of a dingy, intimidating building with peeling paint, paan stains and men in khaki spilling out of the small building. However, this image is changing rapidly in Hyderabad as new spacious buildings are popping up where old chowkis used to be.

With the establishment of new model police stations equipped with officials trained in soft skills to deal with grieving victims, citizens can now notice a drastic change in policing.

The police staff also share that they feel more positive working in spaces with more breathing room and better amenities. 

Anita Krishna, 34, a mother of two, says she felt at ease when she visited the women police station to complain about a theft.

“It was the first time I ever stepped into a police station, and I had to take my eight-year-old daughter with me. I expected an environment similar to what I’ve seen in movies until then, but I was taken aback by the approach of the police personnel and the way they handled petitioners. I was done and out of the office in less than an hour, even though I scheduled an entire afternoon for the job, assuming that I would be made to wait for long,” she says.

Located on the right side of the Gachibowli Police Station premises, the place also has a colourful indoor play area with toys and rocking chairs for children.

DCP Madhapur K. Shilpavalli says that the aim was to make it child-friendly and also to provide a welcoming atmosphere for complainants.