Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the image of the police has to change and called for SMART policing that would encompass sensitivity, reliability and modernity.
"I have a concept of SMART Police in my mind," Modi said at the 49th conference of directors and inspectors general of police from all states and union territories.
"S stands for strict and sensitivity, M for modern and mobility, A for alert and accountable, R for reliable and responsive, and T for tech-savvy and trained," he said, explaining his vision.
Modi asserted that the sacrifices and contributions of the police force should not be ignored.
"Since independence, 33,000 police personnel have sacrificed their lives for the nation... (This) is not a small number.
"Their sacrifices shouldn't go in vain. We cannot let their sacrifices go in vain. Their sacrifice cannot die."
Modi called for a task force to suggest ways to institutionalize the memory of the dead police personnel and said police academies of every state must have a book dedicated to the memory of these men and women.
The prime minister also pressed the need to ensure the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He said police personnel cannot perform well if their families were not taken care of.
"Issues such as health of the families and education for the children of police personnel is a priority...
"The police is a protector force but is often not portrayed as such in Bollywood cinema. The mental image that people have vis-a-vis the police has to change," he added.
Modi urged Indians to change their perception about the police and said there was a need to project the good work done by them.
"Thinking of the people about our police force can change and this can be done through knowing the ground realities.
"Through you (police) a lot of good things are happening in the nation. Why can't positive stories be put on a web site?"
This is the first time the conference is being held outside Delhi.
Taking part in the two-day meet are directors and inspectors general of police from all states and union territories, heads of paramilitary forces, officials from the Intelligence Bureau and all chief ministers of the northeastern states.
