Explained: J&K Police strengthen 'Beat Policing'

Srinagar, Jul 12: Jammu and Kashmir Police is strengthening Beat Policing in Union Territory that had faced certain weaknesses in backdrop of terrorism and law & order during the last some time.

The force more involved in law & order and terrorism and Beat Policing has taken a backseat. Last month while addressing a passing out parade in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called for bringing “Beat Policing” to the centre of the security apparatus, saying that despite remarkable changes in technology, there is no alternative to beat policing and area policing.

“We must strike a fine balance between Techint and Humint to strengthen overall counter-terrorism efforts,” the Lieutenant Governor said, congratulating all the passing out police officials and calling on them to uphold the values, traditions and ethos of J&K Police.

After the terrorism broke out in J&K more than three decades ago, Beat Policing took back. Before terrorism started, Beat Policing used to play important role. Let us know about it.

Beat policing is a community-oriented policing strategy where designated police officers, known as “beat officers,” are assigned specific geographic areas (beats) for regular patrolling, surveillance, community interaction, and crime prevention.

In the context of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)—beat policing plays a vital role in maintaining law and order, ensuring community engagement, and improving intelligence-gathering at the grassroots level.

WHAT IS BEAT POLICING?

Beat policing is a traditional method of policing that divides a police station’s jurisdiction into smaller areas called beats. Each beat is assigned to a beat officer who is responsible for maintaining law and order, gathering intelligence, building community trust, preventing crimes through constant presence and responding to local issues quickly.

In Jammu and Kashmir, beat policing serves as a bridge between the local population and the police force, helping to build public confidence, improve response time, and address grassroots security concerns. Structure of Beat Policing in Jammu and Kashmir

Each police station is divided into multiple beats depending on the area, population density, and vulnerability to crime or militancy. Each beat typically covers, Urban localities, Rural hamlets, Markets or commercial hubs and Conflict-sensitive zones.

BEAT OFFICER

A beat officer is usually a Constable, Head Constable, or Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI). Their responsibilities include daily patrolling of the beat area, recording visits in a Beat Book, meeting Village Defence Committees (VDCs), Sarpanches, and community elders, keeping tabs on history-sheeters, Over-Ground Workers (OGWs), and suspected terrorists and maintaining a list of vulnerable points (religious places, government buildings, etc.)

MONITORING: Supervision is carried out by the Station House Officer (SHO) and Circle Officers. They check the beat diaries, assess performance, and conduct surprise inspections.

Objectives of Beat Policing in J&K: Enhance public-police relations by making police presence more personal and less intimidating. Develop a local intelligence network through regular interaction with residents. Act as a deterrent to crime and militancy, especially in sensitive areas. Foster trust in law enforcement, particularly in areas with a history of alienation or conflict. Improve response to local issues, including domestic violence, drug abuse, and minor disputes. Bridge communication gaps between the police and youth to prevent radicalization.

Beat Policing v/s Counter-Insurgency Policing

While counter-insurgency policing (e.g., by Special Operations Group or CRPF) focuses on tactical operations, beat policing is community-centric and emphasizes preventive policing. Initiatives to Strengthen Beat Policing in J&K include digital beat books and mobile apps to track beat officer movements and reports. Community Liaison Groups (CLGs) formed in many areas to support beat officers. Regular training in soft skills, community interaction, and human rights Integration with Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Panchayats for local coordination. Use of body cameras, GPS, and WhatsApp groups for real-time monitoring.