PANAJI
While the National Disaster Management Plan clearly defines the police as among the first responders, Goa’s State-level disaster management plans barely mention their crucial responsibility.
The central plan specifies that since the police force is equipped with a robust and responsive communication system, it can also serve non-policing functions. This infrastructure can be effectively harnessed to issue warnings and disseminate critical information during looming disasters.
With proper planning, dedicated communication channels can be designated for rescue and relief operations, and “village-level chaukidars,” who are integral to local policing systems, can further enhance this by collecting sensitive data and relaying emergency alerts.
In the prevention and preparedness phase, the Superintendent of Police, as an ex-officio member of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), has a key role to play. The police, with their extensive knowledge of the local terrain, can develop emergency traffic plans focusing on critical routes to ensure the smooth movement of personnel and relief material during a crisis.
“Police organisations have to see themselves as major players in disaster management. They are often the first to arrive at the scene, and their deep connection with the community makes them indispensable in the golden hour,” a senior officer told The Goan.
He further added that reliance on specialised forces like the NDRF is not always feasible due to time and logistics; therefore, local police must be ready, trained, and legislatively supported to act as a response force.
Apart from rescue operations, the police can also help identify suitable locations for relief camps, storage of aid materials, and securing both victims and responders. Their routine field movements make them best suited to assess accessible buildings for such purposes.
“Security of relief materials, logistics convoys, and victims is another domain where police play an important role... Resource mapping, identification of critical infrastructure, and coordination with multiple emergency response agencies are all tasks that the police are naturally positioned to manage. During disasters, teams from NDRF, the Army, the Coast Guard, and paramilitary forces often operate in unfamiliar terrain. The local police, with their established presence, can bridge this gap through effective coordination and route management,” the officer revealed.
Mock drills, regular training sessions, and inter-agency exercises must be institutionalised to prepare the police force for varied disaster scenarios.
From search and rescue to traffic regulation and crowd control, their responsibilities span across all stages of emergency response.
The plan also mentions post-disaster exercises wherein police oversight becomes essential for the safe withdrawal of NGO workers, medical personnel, and volunteers. “Their presence helps prevent chaos, maintains order, and ensures the smooth exit of supporting agencies,” it said.
Equally important is the post-disaster assessment and feedback from police units, which can feed into improving future contingency plans. Their insights, drawn from real-time involvement, are invaluable in strengthening India’s disaster management framework.
“The police department is usually responsible for the maintenance of law and order, but the increasing frequency of disasters has added additional duties for the police. Strong police presence in both cases, whether they are caused by man-made disasters or natural disasters, can help allay concerns and stop people from taking advantage of the situation,” the officer said, quoting the central plans.
