PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday told Indian Police Service probationers that the spirit of ‘Nation First, Always First’ should reflect in every action of theirs and also asked them to work to change the negative perception of the force among people. Addressing the IPS probationers at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy via video-conferencing, he urged them to let their every action in field be guided by national interest and perspective. “You are the flag-bearers of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’. Therefore, the spirit of Nation First, Always First, should be reflected in your every action,” the Prime Minister said. Noting that the “negative perception” people have about police is a “big challenge”, Modi said this changed a bit during the beginning of the coronavirus period when people saw policemen helping out, but the old situation has returned.

 

In this context, the Prime Minister cited the credibility and good image the National Disaster Response Force enjoys among people and asked if the society has similar sentiments for police. “You also know the answer. This negative perception among the masses that the police has is a very big challenge... Our police personnel even sacrifice their lives for security of the country, maintaining law and order and for fighting terrorism. They are unable to go home for days, they are unable to go home even during festivals but when it comes to the police’s image, people’s perception is different,” he said.