8-hour shifts for cops, ‘e-chittha' software kickstarted in Rohini district on pilot basis

  Cops posted in police stations are often overworked due to lack of regular duty hours. The shift system is a much-needed move that will hopefully lead to more efficiency.

- Sakshi.Chand

New Delhi: The much-talkedabout eight-hour shift system in Delhi Police has started in Rohini district on a pilot basis. All 10 police stations there are on the new time system. The new e-chittha software to automatically allot duties to police personnel is also being tried out. The integrated e-chittha and 8-hour shift programme is expected not only to reduce the workload of the force, but also create transparency with respect to allocation of responsibilities.

On Monday, Delhi Police commissioner Rakesh Asthana asked the DCPs of all districts to see how e-chittha can be incorporated into the 8-hour shift system. The pilot in Rohini will help evaluate the merger and synchronise the two initiatives. After years of just being discussed, the 8hour shift system is finally in place. With the separation of law and order and the integration of the police control room with the local police station, the strength of police personnel in each police station has increased. The shifts run from 8am to 4pm, 4pm to midnight and midnight to 8am, but this can differ depending on the police station and the area.