CITIZENS CHARTER OF HIMACHAL PRADESH (DRAFT)  

THE MISSION STATEMENT: to work towards a safe, just, humane and progressive society.
The Citizens Charter:
In pursuit of the mission, the police individually and as an organization will work towards creating a society which is:

SAFE 
Ø       by the peaceful resolution of silnation of potential conflicts;
Ø       through a proactive approach to maintaining the public peace; 
Ø       by adopting the strategies of  community policing;
Ø       by preventing crime and criminals to justice through partnerships with the community   

JUST
Ø       Avoid any element of  bias on any grounds includes casts, community or gender and work for the equity; to be sensitive to the problem  of crimes against weaker sections of society and take effective action to render action to render justice;
Ø       respect the right to redressal of the citizens; this would imply that complaints would be registered receipt, that a complaint would not be refused on grounds of jurisdiction, copies of  FIR would be given under acknowledgement, and action taken there on intimated within a reasonable time;
Ø       so improve the responsiveness and receptiveness of the police that individual citizens regardless status can approach the police without fear or apprehension;
Ø       educate the public of both their rights and obligations vis-à-vis the police and under the law;
Ø       demonstrates firmness  accompanied  by fairness and transparent honesty in the performance of  duties such as arrest, seizure, and procedures of law enforcement;
Ø       strike a balance between respect for the civic rights of the aggrieved and the human rights of  accused and suspected persons;
 

HUMANE  

Ø       provide every citizen in the State with the best quality of service which meets the needs of the individual and gains the trust and support of society at large;

Ø       be as transparent as possible in day to day dealing with the public without compromising on areas where secrecy and confidentiality are to be maintained;  

Ø       adopt a people friendly policing style to win and   the confidence of the public;  

Ø       render assistance in whatever manner possible or necessary to victims of crime;  

Ø       continually cultivate a corporate image of helpfulness and service particularly when dealing with the very young, the aged, women, and differently enabled (disabled );  

Ø       rush medical assistance to persons injured in traffic mishaps or any other type of disaster  or traumatic situation;
 

PROGRESSIVE  

Ø       actively consult the public in all possible areas and functions of policing and allow citizens to make inputs in the policing process , recognizing that the sole cornerstone of effective policing is public cooperation;  

Ø       adhere to a code of professional ethics and personal integrity;  

Ø       cope with change by constantly evaluating attitudes of personnel, and upgrading skills and knowledge through sensitization programmes and  state of the art training at all levels;  

Ø       encourage innovations and cost effective initiatives that will better deliver the range of police services     to the people.

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS  

It is the duty of a citizen to obey the law, to keep the peace and to assist the police. By helping the police the citizens help to preserve the rights and freedom of other members of society. The responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests on the citizens. The police perform the function of law enforcement on a full time basis on behalf of society. Citizens are expected to perform this role on a part time basis. In performing this role it is the duty of citizens to give relevant crime related information to the police and to assist the police in preventing breach of peace. Citizens will not shelter or harbour any proclaimed offender. Citizens have the duty to render evidence in a court of law.
 

SPECIFIC RIGHTS OF WOMEN  

Women witnesses will only be examined at their residence. In the case of women accused they will be questioned in the presence of women police. In case women accused are deta, they shall be kept in areas women and sponsored by women police.
 

SPECIFIC RIGHTS OF CHILDREN    

Children accused of any offence will be dealt with according to the provisions of the juvenile justice not be held in custody along with adult offenders.

RIGHTS OF CITIZENS ON ARREST BY THE POLICE  

Individual citizens in the event of arrest by the police have the right :-

Ø       to be informed of the ground of  arrest, 

Ø       to inform a relative or friend,  

Ø       to have a lawyer of his/her choice present,  

Ø       to know the identity of the police personnel effecting the arrest,  

Ø       to be examined by a medical practitioner.  

Ø       to search the police officer to being se for recovery of evidence of crime. 

ADVICE TO FOREIGNERS  

1.      All foreigners visiting any part of India are advised to abide strictly by the conditions stipulated in the visa. Violation may result in deportation.  

2.      If your visa is for more than six months then you must get yourself registered with the Foreigners’ Registration Officer ( usually the district police chief ) within 15 days of your arrival. This is necessary to get the Certificate of Registration and the Residential Permit.  

3.      Pakistani citizens will have to get themselves registered within 24 hours of their arrival, irrespective of the period of their visa.  

4.      You will have to get yourself registered if your visa is for less than six months but you plan to get extended.  

5.      The law requires that you shall produce the passport for inspection by the competent authority (Registration officer, magistrate or police officer not below the rank of a head constable) within 24 hours is such demand being made.  

6.      Similarly, the Certificate of Registration also needs to be kept safely as that too has to be produced within 24 hours is demand is made for that.  

7.      If there is going to be a change in your registered address or if you propose to remain from that address for more than two weeks at a stretch, you must report that to the Registration Officer.  

8.      If you are staying at a hotel, you must fill out the Form ‘C’ within 24 hours of your arrival and give it to the hotel management which shall be responsible for forwarding it to the authorities.  

9.      Please abide by the aforesaid rules. Violation is punishable with imprisonment up to five years.  

10.  During your stay and travel, avail yourself of the services of authorized personnel only (porters, guides, taxi operators etc.) to the extent possible. This makes trekking them easier in case anyone commits some offence.  

11. If you going to be in forest areas for looking areas for trekking etc. Please make yourself aware 
     of the concerned rules first.  

12. Drug laws in India are very strict with jail term up to 20 years – Stop away from drugs.  

13. In case of any difficulty please contact the Dy. Supt. of Police at the headquarters Magistrate