CITIZEN'S CHARTER OF TAMIL NADU POLICE

The Mission Statement

To work towards a SAFE, JUST, HUMANE and PROGRESSIVE society.

SAFE

Enhance public tranquility through a proactive approach to reduction of disorder;
Encourage a problem solving partnership with the people by adopting the strategies of community policing;
Reduce crime and the fear of crime through the widening of partnerships;
Facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflicts;
Facilitate safe and smooth road use by citizen

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JUST

Avoid any element of gender bias and work for gender equity; to be sensitive to the problem of crimes against women and take effective action to render justice;
Respect the right to redressal of the citizens this would imply that complaints would be registered on receipt, that a complaint would not be refused on grounds of jurisdiction, copies of FIR would be given under acknowledgement, and action taken there on intimated within a reasonable time;
So improve the responsiveness and receptiveness of the police that individual citizens regardless of status can approach the police without fear or apprehension;

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HUMANE

Provide every citizen in the state with an appropriate level and quality of service which meets the needs of the individual and gains the trust and support of society at large;
Be as transparent as possible in day to day dealing with the public without compromising on areas where secrecy and confidentiality are to be maintained;
Adopt a people friendly policing style such that police will act as Friends of People and people will become Friends of Police;
Render assistance in whatever manner possible or necessary to victims of crime;

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PROGRESSIVE

Actively consult the public in all possible areas and functions of policing and allow citizens to make inputs in the policing process, recognizing that the sole cornerstone of effective policing is public cooperation;
Adhere to a code of professional ethics and personal integrity;
Cope with change by constantly evaluating attitudes of personnel, and upgrading skills and knowledge through sensitization programmes and state of the art training at all levels;
Encourage innovations and cost effective initiatives that will better deliver the range of police services to the people.

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RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS

It is the duty of a citizen to obey the law, to keep the peace and to assist the police. By helping the police the citizens help to preserve the rights and freedom of other members of society. The responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests on the citizens. The police perform the function of law enforcement on a full time basis on behalf of society. Citizens are expected to perform this role on a part time basis. In performing this role it is the duty of citizens to give relevant crime related information to the police and to assist the police in preventing breach of peace. Citizens will not shelter or harbour any proclaimed offender. Citizens have the duty to render evidence in a court of law.

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SPECIFIC RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Women witnesses will only be examined at their residence. In the case of women accused they will be questioned only in the presence of women police.

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SPECIFIC RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

Children accused of any offence will be dealt with according to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. They will not be held in custody along with adult offenders, and in the event of being convicted for an offence for the first time will be released on probati

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RIGHTS OF CITIZENS ON ARREST BY THE POLICE

Individual citizens in the event of arrest by the police have the right
To be informed of the ground of arrest
To inform a relative or friend
To have a lawyer of his/her choice present
To know the identity of the police personnel effecting the arrest
To be examined by a medical practitioner.

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