Karnataka Bangalore city traffic police department warning

“First Follow the Law Yourselves”: Joint Police Commissioner’s Message to Traffic Police

Bengaluru, December 15:
In the wake of an increase in cases where police personnel themselves have been found violating traffic rules, Bengaluru Traffic Joint Police Commissioner Karthik Reddy has issued a stern warning. In a circular issued in this regard, he has directed that police personnel must give top priority to following traffic regulations. If police officers themselves violate traffic rules, they lose the moral authority to question the public and also invite criticism from citizens. Therefore, any traffic rule violations by police personnel will be dealt with under the IMV Act, he stated.

What does the circular say?

In recent days, instances have been observed where law enforcement personnel themselves are driving vehicles without adhering to traffic rules. These include, in particular, not wearing seat belts, using mobile phones while driving, and other traffic violations. Observance of traffic rules is not applicable only to citizens; police officers performing duties under the law must also attach the highest importance to complying with traffic regulations.

If traffic police, who are responsible for enforcing the law, violate traffic rules, they forfeit any right to advise the public to follow such rules. Moreover, they become targets of public criticism. Only when traffic police themselves strictly follow traffic discipline can they instil a sense of discipline among the public and expect respect for traffic laws from them.

All officers and staff working in the Bengaluru City Traffic Police Department have been instructed to compulsorily wear helmets or seat belts while driving and to strictly adhere to all traffic rules. The circular clearly states that if any traffic violations by police personnel are noticed in the coming days, strict action will be initiated against the concerned officers and staff under the IMV Act.