Kerala cops given lessons to improve 'behaviour'

Thiruvananthapuram, March 27 (PTI): Facing heat over its alleged highhandedness, Kerala Police today conducted a one hour compulsory training for its personnel to improve their professional behaviour. This was in the wake of a series of complaints of harassment and excesses against police personnel in the name of traffic regulations, highway patrolling, vehicle checks and so on. The training was held based on a circular of DGP Loknath Behera, issued to district police chiefs.The Congress-led UDF opposition had staged a walkout in the state Assembly yesterday, alleging police atrocities. Two bikers, not wearing helmets, were killed after being chased by highway police in Alappuzha district recently. A video of a Sub Inspector verbally abusing a two-wheeler rider for not wearing helmet had also gone viral on social media recently, causing embarrassment to the state police. In his circular, the DGP had asked the district police chiefs to impart practical training for the personnel to improve their behaviour while on duty. It also specifically listed the dos and don'ts for police personnel while carrying out vehicle checks, enforcing helmets on bikers and patrolling.