KSPCA urges revision of day duty hours for Karnataka reserve police in Bengaluru

The Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has urged the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) to consider revising the duty timings of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel deployed for day and night duties in Bengaluru, citing severe physical, mental, and family-related stress among officers and staff.

In a letter dated January 16, KSPCA member Mohan Kumar Damappa stated that at present, four KSRP battalions are deployed daily across Bengaluru city to maintain law and order. However, the existing duty schedule has placed an excessive burden on personnel, forcing them to work extended hours ranging from 11 hours to 16 hours a day.

According to the letter, personnel assigned to day duty leave their homes by 6 a.m., collect weapons and ammunition, and report to designated police stations before commencing duty. After completing duty around 8 p.m., they return weapons to the armory and reach home only by 10 p.m. Officers are reportedly assigned day duty for three to four days a week and night duty for one to three days, leaving little time for rest or family life.

The Authority noted that due to such schedules, personnel are unable to spend time with their families, attend emergencies or family functions, and in some cases, marital relationships have deteriorated, with a few families reportedly on the verge of separation. The letter further highlights that prolonged stress has resulted in serious health issues among staff, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related ailments.

The KSPCA pointed out that while labour laws mandate an eight-hour workday, police personnel are routinely assigned extended shifts without rotational relief systems available to other units. The issue has previously been discussed in the Karnataka Legislature as well, the letter added.

While acknowledging the police force as an essential round-the-clock service, the Authority has recommended that, except in emergency or special situations, day city duty timings be revised to 10 am to 6 pm, and night duty from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., to help personnel perform their duties stress-free while maintaining work life balance.

The KSPCA has requested the head of the reserve force to examine the proposal and issue appropriate directions or a circular in the interest of personnel welfare.

The core issue of streamlining work hours will not only improve the quality of work but also prove beneficial to the mental and physical health of the staff. This would reduce the corrupt practices to some extent, Mohan Kumar Danappa, member of the KSPCA, told The Hindu.