Government will stand by families of police martyrs, assures Chief Minister DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the service, courage and sacrifice of police personnel who laid down their lives while performing their duties to ensure public safety and peace could never be measured.
Speaking at the Police Commemoration Day ceremony held at the Armed Reserve Police headquarters ground on Mysuru Road, he paid floral tributes at the martyrs’ memorial and remembered six police personnel from Karnataka who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
“Our responsibility is not limited to remembering the sacrifices of police personnel. We must also uphold the values they stood for, including dedication to duty, discipline and public service,” he said, assuring that the government would always stand by the families of police martyrs.
“I have not come here merely to remember the police martyrs. I have come to express our gratitude to those who dedicated their lives for the safety and well-being of all of us. None of us can put a price on their service and sacrifice. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the parents and families who gave this state such brave police personnel,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the lamp lit in memory of the fallen personnel was not merely a symbol of tribute but also a reminder of the collective commitment to protecting peace, public safety and justice. Society would never forget their sacrifice, and the government would continue to support their families, he assured.
Explaining the measures taken to strengthen the police force, Shivakumar said 5,911 police posts had been filled over the past three years, while steps were being taken to fill another 7,925 vacancies. The government was also working towards establishing a permanent recruitment board to streamline the recruitment process.
The government had prioritised modernisation of the police department, particularly the use of technology in crime investigation, evidence preservation and crime prevention. An allocation of around ₹142 crore had been made to help police personnel become more technology-oriented, he said.
Praising the police force, the Chief Minister said the khaki uniform symbolised courage, trust and the assurance of justice. Police personnel must be a nightmare for criminals while giving vulnerable people the confidence that they were there to protect them.
“Public peace is in your hands. Your responsibility is not just to enforce the law but also to help reform society,” he said.
Shivakumar said Karnataka Police had earned recognition at the national level through their discipline, alertness and commitment to duty. He said he felt proud to highlight the department’s work and distinctive approach during discussions with national-level leaders.
The government was also working to improve housing and infrastructure for police personnel. Under the Police Gruha-2025 programme, priority was being given to housing construction and infrastructure development. Providing better working conditions and improving the quality of life of police families remained important priorities, he said.
Steps were also being taken to construct new police stations and departmental buildings, provide vehicles and strengthen infrastructure. Special initiatives were being developed to tackle drug abuse, maintain communal harmony and improve traffic management.
Highlighting the challenges faced by Bengaluru police, the Chief Minister said managing the city’s growing population and traffic congestion had become a major task. Bengaluru had a population of around 1.40 crore and approximately 1.31 crore vehicles, while the limited road network made traffic management particularly difficult.
Despite these pressures, police personnel were working hard to keep traffic moving and ensure smoother commutes, he said, congratulating them for their efforts. He added that measures were being taken to develop special strategies to control crime, curb rowdy activities and make the policing system more effective.
Emphasising the importance of the police in maintaining peace, Shivakumar said that while soldiers protected the country at its borders, the police safeguarded peace within the state. “The people are able to lead peaceful lives because of your discipline and service,” he said, commending the force for its efforts over the past three years to maintain law and order, control serious crimes and protect the public.
Urging personnel to remain committed to their profession, he asked them to continue loving their work, uphold their dedication to duty and strengthen their capabilities to meet emerging challenges through new technologies. He also called on them to serve everyone equally, without distinction between politicians, officials and ordinary citizens.
The Chief Minister said the government valued the experience and service of retired police officers and was willing to draw on their expertise whenever necessary. He concluded by wishing the well-being of police personnel and their families and urging everyone to honour the martyrs not only through remembrance but also by adopting their ideals in their own lives.