‘Police Akka’ initiative in Nirmal wins SKOCH Award

The ‘Police Akka’ initiative of the Nirmal district police has won the SKOCH Award, with officials stating that the programme gained national recognition for its community policing efforts.

District Superintendent of Police (SP) G. Janaki Sharmila received the award at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Saturday (March 28).

Praising the initiative, Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy congratulated the district police and said that the initiative reflected compassionate policing with an aim to build confidence among students.

The programme focuses on supporting female students and women by encouraging them to approach the police without hesitation. Female police personnel engage with students in schools, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and conduct awareness sessions on issues such as personal safety, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and prevention of child marriages.

Officials said personnel also stay overnight at schools to interact with students and address concerns. The initiative has so far reached over 7,000 beneficiaries, including students and women.

SP Sharmila said that the recognition placed greater responsibility on the district police to expand the initiative further and continue efforts to ensure safety and confidence among women and girl children.