Role of Police Department in Disaster Management

Police can protect  people traapped in Disaster calamity by actively patrolling during  disaster emergencies. Disaster management includes distribution as a key component. Generally speaking, the designated relief distribution centre is located in the interiors.  

In Pre-disaster:

• District-wise disaster management plans should be developed, and it should be ensured that these plans are updated quarterly with active participation in all local agencies and departments.
• A deployment plan should be prepared to meet the requirements of the most vulnerable and sensitive areas.
• Availability of the necessary number of officers should be ensured. Station officers or personnel on leave should be recalled for the additional requirement.
• A Search and Rescue Team from the Police Force should be assembled and should be facilitated with training. At least one team should be set up for each district, and additional teams may be formed depending on the magnitude and area of the disaster.
• For better coordination, the Defense Department and the Home Guards should collaborate with the State Armed Police.
• Before the deployment of an additional wireless communication system, the wireless communication network should be checked previously.
• The following locations should be activated for radio communications: District Control Rooms, Deputy Commissioners/ District Collectors/ District Magistrates and SP offices; Control Rooms at affected sites and departments inside the District and Division.
• Make sure the police vehicles are in good working order before deployment. Additionally, to ensure the protection of equipment, review safety measures and emergency procedures should be discussed in detail with the staff.

During and in post-disaster:

• The situation needs to be assessed at a special meeting. A mission and strategy should be developed to enable these objectives to be realised.
• All field staff and stationed officers must submit action reports to the Control Room.
• Take action in accordance with orders issued by Deputy Commissioners, District Collectors, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police.
• For the evacuation of livestock and community members, the assistance of community leaders can be taken under apt security conditions.
• Police are responsible for identifying and assisting those in life-threatening situations as well as supplying relief supplies in convoys.
• Proper medical treatment should be provided to injured individuals. For this,trained health professionals should be deployed at ground zero.
• Roads and other means of transport should be cleaned and repaired as soon as possible with the help of government agencies and the community. Proper functioning of police stations during the disaster situation should be ensured.

Police department is usually responsible for maintanence of law and order, but increasing frequency of disaster has  added additional duty for police.  Strong police presence in both cases—whether they are caused by man-made disasters or natural disasters—can assist allay concerns and stop people  from taking advantage of the situation.