TRAFFIC POLICE AWARD-HONOUR FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY

TRAFFIC POLICE AWARD-HONOUR FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY

As part of boosting the ongoing measures to bring down the road-accident rate in Kerala, State Police Chief Jacob Punnoose has announced the institution of ‘Badge of Honour for Excellence in Traffic Safety Endeavour’ for the police personnel engaged in traffic-related work.Police personnel selected for the award will be decorated with the badge at a “befitting ceremony” and they will also be presented with a commendation certificate from the State Police Chief, according to a circular issued by Mr. Punnoose in this connection.The Police Department has undertaken the task of reducing road accidents as one of its major responsibilities. Though various steps had been taken to bring down the accident rate, the death rate is higher than those of developed countries. “Hence we need to strive harder.”Mr. Punnoose adds that traffic-accident reduction needs considerable personal application and devotion to duty. This has to be encouraged and appreciated. Therefore the decision to launch the ‘Badge of Honour,’ he says.

The criteria for the award include a minimum of 10 per cent reduction in accident rate in an area compared to the previous rate; lives saved by a police official on traffic duty; innovations introduced and successfully implemented to prevent road accidents in any area; new methods used in detecting traffic offences where maximum results are achieved with minimum inconvenience to the public; traffic awareness programmes resulting in a marked decrease in traffic offences; enforcement of speed limits; and other special efforts implemented by the official.Each District Police Chief can recommend a maximum of three personnel in a year to be considered for the award to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the range and each range IGP can, in turn, forward the names of 10 police personnel to the State Police Chief.The Badge of Honour investiture parade and ceremony will be conducted once every year at the closing ceremony of the Road Safety Week (January 1 to 7) celebrations.

According to the DGP, the step is initiated as Kerala has emerged as a road accident-prone state. “Around 4,000 lives are lost every year in road accidents and more than 41,000 persons are injured. Over ` 600 crore is lost to the state. The vehicular population in the state is also increasing at a fast pace,” the DGP said.He said that traffic accident reduction requires considerable personal application and devotion to duty. This is to be encouraged and appreciated. Taking this into consideration it was decided to motivate and recognise traffic related work done by police officers of the ranks from constables to SPs by rewarding them with the “Badge of Honour for Excellence in Traffic Safety Endeavour”. The selected police personnel will be decorated with the Badge at a befitting ceremony. They will also be presented a Commendation Certificate issued by the state police chief. According to officials in the Police Headquarters, Traffic Safety Awards should be in the form of a small medal.“The medal will be made in bronze like that of Detective Excellence Award. The medal will be engraved  with “Traffic Safety Excellence” along with the emblem of Kerala Police. The emblem of Pappu Zebra and the year will be engraved on the other side,” they said.Three police officials from the rank of constable to SP will be selected from each district. The district police head will have to make the recommendation with a detailed write-up to the IG of the range. The IG has to review the performance of each police officer and recommend 10 persons from each range. The recommendations shall be submitted by October 15 to the Inspector-General of Police, HQ / Traffic. The award committee will consist of ADGPs nominated by the state police chief and Inspector-General of Police, Traffic & RSM will then scrutinise the recommendation and select the 10 men.

Prof. John Kurakar