Bhubaneswar: The 71st Odisha State Police Duty Meet, held over three days at the Reserve Police Ground in Buxi Bazar, Cuttack, came to a close on Friday.
Minister of Law, Works, and Excise Prithviraj Harichandan served as the chief guest, presiding over a grand parade and honoring the winners of the event.
During his speech, Minister Harichandan remarked that the Duty Meet enhances the self-confidence of police personnel, hones their skills, and inspires them to excel. He emphasized that acknowledging hard work leads to increased motivation among employees and commended the dedication of police officers who prioritize public safety, often at great personal cost.
He also highlighted the evolving nature of crime and the necessity for police to leverage advanced technology and professional training to combat challenges such as cybercrime, financial fraud, organized crime, and drug trafficking. Harichandan urged collective efforts to foster a drug-free, crime-free, and secure Odisha.
Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra pointed out that the Police Duty Meet serves a dual purpose: it is both a competition and a valuable opportunity for police officers to enhance their skills and improve investigative standards. He noted that employing scientific investigation techniques, forensic science, and modern technology can aid in identifying offenders and boosting conviction rates.
This year, 319 participants, ranging from constables to inspectors from various districts and police units, took part in competitions covering topics such as forensic science, fingerprinting, photography, computer literacy, cybercrime investigation, criminal law, and evidence gathering.
A select team from Odisha Police, consisting of top performers, will represent the state at the All India Police Duty Meet. The DGP stated that it is essential for police to become adept in new technologies and scientific investigative methods to effectively address cybercrime, drug trafficking, organized crime, and other intricate issues.
He added that gathering accurate evidence and conducting scientific analyses are fundamental to enhancing the justice delivery system, particularly in sensitive cases involving women and children, such as those under POCSO laws.
To further improve investigative quality, the Crime Branch has initiated training camps and workshops, and new training programs will be developed in the near future, according to the DGP. IGP (Crime Branch) Dr. Sarthak Sarangi expressed gratitude during the closing remarks. The event was attended by senior and retired police officers.
