Kolkata Police Issues New SOP for Civic Volunteers: Attendance, Conduct and Monitoring Rules

Kolkata Police has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) setting out rules on the duties, conduct and monitoring of civic volunteers. The SOP was issued on September 17 and has been circulated to police stations and units.

What the new SOP says

The guidelines require police station officers-in-charge to submit a report every three months to senior officials on the work of civic volunteers. The SOP also lays down action for negligence of duty, indiscipline, corruption, extortion or involvement in a criminal case.

If a civic volunteer remains absent from duty without permission for seven consecutive days, the concerned officer or unit-in-charge must report the matter to higher authorities. A notice is to be sent through WhatsApp first, followed by a final notice after seven days seeking an explanation.

If the volunteer does not respond to the final notice, or the explanation is not considered satisfactory, the SOP allows for permanent demobilisation. The guidelines also say that circumstances such as illness or a death in the family should be taken into consideration before final action.

The new SOP comes as the role and supervision of civic volunteers have faced scrutiny in Kolkata and adjoining police jurisdictions. The police guidelines now provide a formal framework for attendance monitoring, periodic performance reporting and disciplinary action.