ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. DROUPADI MURMU ON THE OCCASION OF CALL ON BY THE INDIAN POLICE SERVICE (IPS) PROBATIONERS OF 77 REGULAR RECRUITS (2024 BATCH)

Dear probationers,

I congratulate you on completing Phase-one of your training. You deserve high praise for getting into the coveted police service in the country after an extremely competitive examination.

I am happy to note that your Dikshant Parade was held ten days ago. I am sure that along with you, your proud parents and family- members are going to cherish the memories of the lively and impressive parade.

It is heartening to note that there are 62 lady officer trainees in this batch of 174 probationers. With nearly 36 per cent, that is well over one-third, your batch has the highest gender representation so far. I am sure that representation of lady IPS officers will only get larger. In several batches of the IPS during the last few years, including your batch, lady officer trainees have been awarded as the best probationers. The accomplishments of lady police officers highlight that excellence is gender neutral. I know that each one of you, in this batch, is capable of outstanding accomplishments. By realising your full potential, you will be making meaningful contribution to nation- building.

The Indian Police Service has made immense contribution in preserving and strengthening the unity of the country shaped by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The IPS, along with other All India Services, has been instrumental in holding our federal structure together and strengthening the unity and integrity of the Nation.

Officers of the IPS work with a national perspective wherever they are posted.

Dear probationers,

As you occupy positions of power and authority, do keep in mind that with authority comes accountability. Your actions and conduct will always be under public scrutiny. You should remember to choose what is ethical and not what is expedient. Just and fair procedures should be followed even when dealing with exigencies. While you derive a lot of powers from the laws and systems, the real authority will come from your personal and professional integrity. Moral authority will earn you everyone’s respect and trust.

Dear probationers,

It is important to note that in their own countries, the colonial powers developed policing systems based on participation of citizens. But they built policing systems based on fear, distrust and distancing in colonies like India. The process of cultural de-colonisation in policing began with changing the IP or Indian Police to the IPS or the Indian Police Service. The change was meant to bring a new approach based on the idea of serving and not of ruling. The culture of Indian policing would mean maintaining the spirit of service, sensitivity and sympathy, especially for the vulnerable segments of society. People, especially the marginalised, should look at police as a source of support and not as a fearsome entity.

A police officer deals with crime and criminals almost all the time. This may have a desensitising effect on you and blunt your humaneness. In the course of becoming an effective officer, you should make a special effort to keep your own compassionate core intact. This sensitivity should extend to the public you will serve and also to the members of your team.

Dear probationers,

Experiences shared by your batch-mates highlight that your training program is aligned with current technologies, contexts and expectations.

Technology has substantially altered the space of policing. Just about ten years ago, the expression ‘digital arrest’ would have been impossible to understand. Today, it is one of the most dreaded threats to citizens. India has one of the largest and fastest growing AI user-bases. This is going to impact policing also. You have to be several steps ahead in adopting new technologies, including AI, compared to those who will use these technologies with wrongful intent.

India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. We need increasingly larger public and private investments for sustaining and accelerating our economic growth. Law and order is a necessary pre- condition for attracting investment in any state or region. Effective policing is as important as economic incentives in promoting investment and growth. A future-ready police force led by young officers like you will play a major role in the making of Viksit Bharat.

I am sure that with your commitment and contribution, you will bring glory to yourself, your family, your batch and the nation. I wish you all a very bright future.

Thank you!
Jai Hind!
Jai Bharat!