This story is from July 6, 2020

Sathankulam fallout: Cops not to use Friends of Police

In the wake of allegations about their role in the Sathankulam custodial deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son Beniks, Friends of Police (FoP) volunteers will no more be used for policing duties such as patrolling and vehicle checks.
Sathankulam fallout: Cops not to use Friends of Police
A recent protest by traders and the general public at Sathankulam in Tuticorin district following the deaths of Jeyaraj and his son Beniks
CHENNAI: In the wake of allegations about their role in the Sathankulam custodial deaths of P Jeyaraj and his son Beniks, Friends of Police (FoP) volunteers will no more be used for policing duties such as patrolling and vehicle checks.
According to official sources, state police chief J K Tripathy has told all district superintendents of police to use FoP volunteers only for public interest awareness campaigns.
At least three deputy inspectors- general of police (DIGs) have banned FoP in their jurisdictions, which include the districts of Trichy, Karur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi.
In Chennai, city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal said FoP is a form of community policing where traders, social activists and other volunteers get involved. They can help police in creating awareness, but can’t act like police. "Any volunteers can help police, but they can't take the role of police. The officials have been asked to check the criminal background of the volunteers before using them for any work," the commissioner said. "We are not banning any community policing. Their cooperation is needed, but they should only assist police," he added.
However, police units in southern districts have temporarily stopped using FoP volunteers. Their services will not be utilized for at least a couple of months, police officials say.
Tuticorin superintendent of police S Jayakumar said friends of police personnel will not be used for station work and patrolling for now. They will be used only for carrying out awareness activities. Ramanathapuram district superintendent of police V Varun Kumar said that they have stopped using FoP volunteers from Friday.
Madurai city police commissioner Prem Kumar Sinha said home guards would be deployed to help police personnel.
Virudhunagar superintendent of police P Perumal said Friends of Police volunteers should not be involved in vehicular checks or patrolling .
N Anandh, Villupuram district organizer of friends of police, said “The FoP movement’s aim was to serve the people by joining hands with the police. But few greedy police officers misuse the scheme. They involve FoP volunteers in illegal activities including collection of bribes during arrack raids and vehicular patrolling.
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