In a significant ceremony highlighting modern policing challenges, 389 cadets formally graduated as police sub-inspectors from the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik on Wednesday. The 126th passing out parade saw a strong emphasis on the critical need for technological prowess to combat evolving crimes like cyber fraud and economic offences.
Judicial Address Highlights Evolving Crime Landscape
Principal district and sessions judge Shrichand Daulatram Jagmalani, who addressed the new officers, underscored the profound responsibility they have undertaken. He pointed out that the nature of crime is continuously changing with technological advancements, leading to a sharp increase in sophisticated cybercrime and financial fraud.
Judge Jagmalani stressed that technological competence is now an absolute necessity for any police officer to effectively investigate and tackle such crimes. He urged the graduating batch to commit to lifelong learning and continuously acquire new skills relevant to the digital age.
Furthermore, he identified the scourge of drugs as a major societal challenge. He advised the new PSIs that while strict action against peddlers is crucial, equally important is their role in spreading awareness and preventing drug abuse within communities.
Comprehensive Training for Modern Policing
Joint director of the academy, Arvind Salve, detailed the rigorous 52-week training program the cadets underwent. He confirmed that the curriculum extended far beyond traditional indoor and outdoor subjects to include specialized modules on contemporary issues.
The cadets received focused education in key areas essential for today's law enforcement:
- Cyber crime investigation techniques
- Probing economic offences
- Advanced interrogation and evidence gathering skills
- Crowd management strategies
- Practical skills in map reading and firing
Salve emphasized that the training provided end-to-end practical knowledge, equipping the new sub-inspectors with the ability to handle a case right from the stage of filing an First Information Report (FIR) to submitting a chargesheet in court.
Top Performers Honoured at Ceremony
The parade was also an occasion to recognize exceptional merit among the trainees. Cadet Priyanka Shamla Shantaram Patil emerged as the star performer, bagging multiple accolades.
She was honoured with the prestigious Revolver of Honour for being the best overall trainee. Additionally, she received awards for the best female trainee and the best trainee in law and curriculum.
Other awardees included Cadet Dipak Antyabai Balaji Ghogare, who was named the second-best trainee and also won the best trainee in outdoor activities award. Cadet Vaibhav Lakshmi Prabhakar Dongre was recognized as the best in drill, while Cadet Pawan Rekha Dilip Gosavi received the award for best trainee in shooting.
The graduation of this batch, which includes 67 female officers, marks a fresh infusion of trained personnel into the Maharashtra police force, specifically geared to address the complex demands of 21st-century law enforcement.
