Behavioural training for cops on Rath Yatra duty

Bhubaneswar: Aiming to ensure that devotees are treated with courtesy and respect during the upcoming Rath Yatra, Puri police have introduced a behavioural training programme for their personnel.Senior officers and mental health experts have been engaged to sensitise the personnel on crowd psychology, stress management, effective communication and people-friendly policing. The first session was held in Puri on Saturday evening.District superintendent of police (SP) Prateek Singh said the initiative is designed to make police interaction more humane and service-oriented. “Our goal is to train the officers to be patient, tolerant and empathetic. Millions of devotees visit Puri during Rath Yatra, and the way police behave reflects the identity of the force. Every officer must embody the spirit of people-friendly policing,” the SP said.Singh added that respectful conduct is not just about discipline but about building trust. “We want our personnel to understand the devotees’ problems, if any, offer assistance, and strengthen the positive image of the Puri police through dignified behaviour,” he said.The training also covered practical aspects such as crowd control, handling emergencies, assisting those lost in the crowd, and showing sensitivity towards the elderly, women and differently-abled devotees. “Smooth darshan arrangements and timely help can make a huge difference to the experience of the pilgrims,” Singh explained.Retired SP Gyanarajan Mohapatra, one of the experts leading the session, stressed the importance of empathy. “Positive conduct and compassion are the key to trust between the police and the public. A smile, kind word or helping hand can diffuse tension faster than force,” he said.Amrit Pattojoshi, another trainer and a mental health expert, highlighted the psychological dimension of policing during mass gatherings. “Crowd behaviour is complex. Officers must remain calm, avoid provocation, and remember that their tone and body language can either reassure or escalate situations,” said Pattojoshi.Police officers said more sessions will be held in the coming weeks to prepare personnel for the massive influx of devotees. “We also appeal to the devotees to cooperate with police during crowd management. At times, the crowd becomes restless in eagerness to get close to the chariots. We urge them to exercise patience, take basic precautions and follow the bandobast. Their cooperation is vital for ensuring safety and smooth darshan for everyone,” another trainer said.