Harnessing idle human resources for policing

Every time, a state announces recruitment of say 3,000 to 10,000 constables, more than ten times that number apply. This enables us to gauge the extent of idle human resources eager and willing to be employed as policemen or policewomen. Large numbers of these candidates have volunteered as FOPs in Tamil Nadu and a good number have been subsequently employed either as constables, or sub-inspectors of police. It needs a fairly longer run-up than just six months or two years of training as the case may be for constables or Sub-inspectors but when they volunteer as FOPs they develop their aptitude and abilities to serve as full time police professionals. A few FOPs have even succeeded in joining as DySPs, as ASPs and one FOP student coordinator belonging to the Muslim community has joined the IFS and is currently serving in the UK. FOP multimedia training as well as the leadership training they get while volunteering service is a huge asset in preparing them for their future career. If some weightage is given at the time of selection for police personnel who had served as FOPs, it will further give a fillip to the movement.