Sunday mornings will now begin differently for many Nagpur police personnel. Instead of reporting straight to routine duties, they will first hit the ground for a run. In a first for the city police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Vishwas Nangre Patil has made morning running and exercise mandatory for eligible personnel. As per the CP’s directions, police personnel below the age of 45 who are present at the police station and are not deployed on emergency duties must take part in morning running and exercise near their respective police stations. The first session was held on Sunday. Following the directions, police personnel across all police stations in the city took part in the Sunday morning run. For many, it was their first experience of participating in a group fitness session with colleagues before beginning the day’s duties. A Police Station In-charge said the initiative brought officers together outside their regular work environment.

 

“It was a new experience to run with colleagues. Such activities help improve fitness and also strengthen teamwork and coordination within the force,” he said. However, the fitness drive was limited to police station staff. Senior officers, including Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Additional Commissioners of Police (Addl CPs), did not participate in the exercise. A retired senior police officer welcomed the move, saying today’s policing requires officers to remain physically and mentally fit at all times. “Police personnel often have to chase suspects, handle violent situations and work long, demanding hours. Regular running will improve endurance, discipline and teamwork. It is a positive step for the force,” he said. The initiative, however, has also brought attention to a practical issue. Most police personnel perform their daily duties in standard leather shoes, which are not designed for running.

 

A fitness expert said regular exercise in leather shoes can lead to foot pain, blisters and added strain on the knees and ankles. “If this fitness programme is going to continue, personnel should be provided with canvas or sports shoes that offer proper cushioning and support. That will reduce the risk of injuries and make running much more comfortable,” the expert said. Senior police officers believe the fitness drive will not only improve the health of personnel but also help create a more energetic, disciplined and efficient police force.

 

 

The CP has also directed all police station in-charges to make greater use of Section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act to strengthen preventive policing and take quicker action against lawbreakers. Senior police officials said the provision is widely used in Mumbai and Pune, whereas Nagpur Police has traditionally relied more on Sections 110 and 117 of the Mumbai Police Act while dealing with habitual offenders and preventive action. Section 135 provides punishment for disobeying lawful orders issued by the police under the Mumbai Police Act. It can be invoked against people who violate prohibitory or preventive orders, create law and order problems despite police directions, repeatedly ignore restrictions, or breach orders during nakabandis and special enforcement drives.