17. Duties of police officer towards weaker sections and the poor.
- It shall be the duty of every police officer to -(i)register all cognizable offences brought to his notice by a complainant in person or by post or from his knowledge and take prompt steps to acknowledge registration of such offences where necessary and proceed with such investigation in accordance with law;(ii)guide and assist members of the public, particularly the poor and indigent, disabled or physically weak and children who are either lost or find themselves helpless on the streets or other public places;(iii)take charge of intoxicated persons and lunatics at large, who in their ignorance may cause harm to themselves or other members of the public and their property;(iv)assist in preventing the poor and indigent persons from exploitation by any organised group;(v)prevent eve-teasing and harassment of women in public places or otherwise;(vi)prevent harassment and help the children in need of care and protection;(vii)deal with juveniles in conflict with law by adopting child friendly approach for their ultimate rehabilitation;(viii)behave with all the members of the public with due decorum and courtesy, particularly so in dealing with women and children, where strict regard should be paid to decency and reasonable gentleness;(ix)arrange for legally permissible sustenance and shelter to every person in custody and making known to poor persons in custody the provisions of legal aid schemes being enforced in the State and also inform the authority concerned to provide such aid;(x)provide every kind of assistance to victims of road accidents and in particular ensuring that they are given prompt medical aid without waiting for formalities; and(xi)assist accident victims or their heirs or their dependents, where applicable, with such information and documents as would facilitate their compensation claims and making the victims of accidents aware of their rights and privileges.
