Kolkata Police launches good Samaritan programme – Times of India

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Police on Saturday launched its all new good Samaritan programme across the city led by the top brass at Lalbazar. The cops said that the programme aims to assure the common people, who help accident victims and inform cops about the same, that they will not be harassed by police. The cops also want to extend the same help to those acting as first respondents to general crime, too.
While these rights of good Samaritans have long been in circulation based on court ruling and directives from both Centre and state, the fresh attempt is to “educate” the masses, claimed sources. “The message is simple. An appeal has been made to help victims within the golden hour. The legal formalities will not come in the way of humanity,” stated an officer.
A 10-point SOP issued in this regard has been sent to all 25 traffic guards and 80 police stations. The same SOP was also put up across all crossings for the common people to read them and act at the time of reckoning, said sources. “Of late, there have been a couple of instances — especially on DH Road and Basanti Highway — where we thought we could have saved precious lives if only the public would have alerted us about victims lying on the road a bit earlier,” said police.

According to the declaration by cops, the good Samaritan will be treated equally and with respect with no cop raising aspersions on the his/her background or social position. Second, any person who makes a phone call to the police control room or local police station about any accident, injury or death doesn’t have to reveal personal information such as name, address or contact number. Third, no cop can force a Good Samaritan to become a witness. He can leave after informing police unless he/she is a direct eyewitness to some heinous crimes.

The SOP also talks at length about those who wish to testify as witnesses. “They deserve respect for their social responsibility and should face no discrimination at any point of time,” said an officer.
If it is absolutely necessary that the he/she has to visit the police station to record a statement, the IO must give in writing why it was necessary to call him to the police station. This should be avoided in cases where a woman is recording her statement.