SP Jeevan Kumar Shrestha while speaking exclusively to Onlinepatrika to bring to light about some key features of his work and how he hopes for the overall betterment of the Police force as he is biding adieu from District Police Office,Kaski Pokhara to assume the new responsibility at Narcotics Control Bureau, Kathmandu.

In these tyring times, A superintendent like him is going beyond his work for securing citizens livelihood,responding to their needs, catering essential medical supplies, promoting public health campaigns through banners and miking, monitoring other criminal activities, implementation of social distancing through patrolling vans or vehicular checkpoints and even foot patrolling, coordinating with the authorities for fair handling after that dispersal of medical oxygen gas cylinders and so on..

But,in all that he cares for his team who have been with him since day one and shares that his duty call also means boosting the morale of his force by ensuring them with the required provisions without discriminating anyone.

What kind of reforms took place during your time in the office?

In this one year, me and my team have had this pleasure of working for so many causes as being stationed at the capital of Gandaki Province-Pokhara the touristic hub which draws a lot of eyeballs from  people all over the world but the initiative to maintain the security of this second largest city was the prime concern while adhering to the norms of effective police response.Here,1,000 Police personel including both men and women have been deployed in various departments like looking after duties of law and order  maintenance,  crime control,traffic management ,development  activities,tourist safety where they are always briefed about how to deal with the assigned case plus are directed to approach any given emergencies with modules of investigation, detection and prevention.And,especially after this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic,we have stepped up with a new approach of policing towards making the public aware and safe at the same time.The need to bring a sense of belonging and develop healthy competition between the officers was realised thus many sport activities like running,table tennis, among other sports were introduced for building their resilience,boosting the physical and mental health being  and building a sense of routine in their lives along with reducing their anxiety. It was also understood that in order to break their monotonous state, TVs,WiFi system was installed in their barrack such that they can contact with their family members and get refresh at the same time. In case of the women police officers there's no culture of sexism in my office. They are well equipped with the same amneties  as the male officers. They need to be listened to as they are one such important part of the system. Almost Everyone is properly vaccinated  since last year, saw a lot of cadres infected with the virus.Other than that, for the disaster response as in the recent cases of flooding and landslide at areas in Madi Rural Municipality-1,2,6,7 including other places we were constantly in touch with the administration for relocating the displaced people and distributing relief materials.

What was the role of police amidst the rising cases of COVID-19?

Like I said,in our quest to aware the general people about the harmful effects of the novelcoronavirus,many campaigns came into life in many main places whereupon the traffic police officers used to carry placards, banners disseminating messages about wearing masks alongside distributing facemasks to the public as well as making them realise the importance of hand-wash through miking about providing information other precautionary measures with the involvement of local bodies, clubs,ama samuha,Samudayik Sewa and administration at every level, community  engagement .And,when the prohibitory order was enforced we have given continuity to maintain composure without being disruptive at the times of lockdown duty.To cope up with the issue of oxygen gas shortage,as the demand for the  medical oxygen gas had gone up high due to the outgrowing covid patients,we felt the need to coordinate with the metal workshops, motor garages, gas welding companies to fence any oxygen cylinder which were then handed over to the oxygen manufacturing companies. To ensure that the designated hospitals do not run out of beds for the covid patients we consulted with the authorities by checking over the number of the patients in the designated hospitals needing the supply of the lifesaving gas as well as facilitating the equitable  transportation  of the gas  at the hospitals.

Besides the pandemic, how have you analysed the other sides of crime in respect with the lockdown?

As far as what I've seen we have been combating to control many problems like drugs abuse, women based violence, accidents, cybercrime.As a matter of fact, due to lockdown new cases has emerged out from theft,suicide, gambling,money laundering . Among which drug abuse is still prevalent in large number than other mentioned crimes but the fjgure has significantly dropped from previous year.That being  said,as per official records 959 cases have been registered during last year's fiscal year which now has dropped by 14.07 % and stands at 824. But,more than the effects of the crime,one should outlook the cause behind it because people's mindset is what needs to be changed as they lack the basic civic sense and are not awared about law enforcement rules . Incase of cyber crime though the cases are not registered here,but we do look over cases that implies misuse of technology.Otherwise,cyber crime bureau look after profound cases. 

What types of challenges have you encountered, while working here? And, what can be done about it?

It's not hidden that we do lack in resources, the number of  sufficient manpower as there's many division within the police department and in terms of fielding we do need the required number.More than a challenge, I feel that it's people expectation about a police but they need to understand that we are bounded by certain rules and regulations but no matter we will be doing whatever is in our reach. Again, due to Covid there were distant community places that I could not reach out nor conduct any further crime investigation during my policing activitity.My suggestion would be to develop infrastructure for the police,introducing fair leave days for the police morale,provide field based training,remodelling the traffic beautification process and signs with paining of zebra lines white,yellow lines,overhead bridge,installation of CCTV at 100 metres distance in places so that the monitoring procedure is easily done which we can prevent any possible crime or the investigation process will be fast paced, data entry or collection of every other tourists visiting ,accessing security at far tourists destinations. 

How has the public reacted to your time in office?

It was truly positive for which I am indebted and immensely grateful for the amount of support the public has shown which they understood that whatever it is we are doing for their own safety plus we dealt people  through effective communication which definitely helped a lot. Moreover,in our helpline number we are constantly called by people where they notify about other people not wearing masks,shops opening during lockdown,or patients complaining about not getting beds,oxygen scarcity or other criminal related offences are being apprised implying the fact that people  are coming forward to  share their problems . The media has equally proven to be an instrumental part for our institution which is basically true when they say the bond we share is symbiotic.

Any parting message to the new SP?

Foremost, it's very essential to always put people's safety and security at the front while abiding by the law.Another important factor is that the police forces equally deserves to have access to basic rights which needs to be paid equal importance. Lastly, I would like to convey my best wishes for him.