Rely on team effort, not individual prowess: Tetseo

Outgoing CP Dimapur reflects on tenure, other issues 

Mongsentong Longkumer 
Dimapur | November 18

Work relies on team effort and not on individual prowess, was the parting advice of the outgoing Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, as he heads for his new assignment after a three-year long stint. 

 “You should be more humble, approachable and accessible to the people around you,” he added during an exclusive with The Morung Express reflecting on his deputation in Dimapur.

Tetseo handed over his officiating duties to Kevithuto Sophie on November 17. 

A police officer who believes in the efficacy of honesty and integrity above all else, he will be among the long line of officers who have overseen Dimapur since as early as 1858.   

“At first I was not expecting to be posted here in Dimapur,” he said, but noted that his posting came about during a crucial point in the Indo-Naga political peace talks. “The Government of India was stating that the peace talks would be over by October 31 (2019), so immediately I had to come over and take charge on the 29th. Otherwise, I was supposed to take over on November 1,” he said. 

This involved making preparations in case of surrender and arms and other procedures as instructed by The Ministry of Home Affairs. So from November-January, we were prepared for that outcome but as we all know nothing much happened, he added.

Most challenging times
Tetseo’s tenure of over three years, however, also witnessed arguably the most turbulent global events in the recent history – the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, from the stalled peace-talks, attention was shifted towards the pandemic and related activities.  

“That was one of the most challenging times during my tenure because it was something which we had never faced before in our lives and so mistakes were made,” he narrated.

Among others, unclear instructions, lack of proper knowledge of the virus, undue wastage of government resources were just some of the challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies.

Besides, the police force was also further reduced by 50% strength as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Fortunately the crime had significantly dipped during that period as the primary focus was on containing the spread of the virus, he said.

“But I had to come to office everyday of the week at that time including going out for regular inspection on the streets,” Tetseo maintained.  “By the grace of God, I didn’t catch the virus even once through that period.”

As life began returned to normal, so as other activities and in 2021, 1502 crimes-related incidents were registered from the entire state of Nagaland, out of which Dimapur accounted for 749.  

On crime & investigation 
The CP, however, opined that it is a matter of one’s perspective as the total registered cases in Dimapur, including Chümoukedima and Niuland, is less than the total number in Nagaon police station.

 “As this is the only commercial city in our state, all our attention is drawn towards what happens here every day,” he added. 

He also attributed to ‘under-strength’ of investigating team to relatively high crime count in the city.  “The problem with our police force is that the investigating team responsible is under-strength. At present we have only six sub-inspectors whereas the minimum requirement is nine sub-inspectors and 26 assistant sub-inspectors for a district like Dimapur,” Tetseo revealed. 

So along with their normal duties and escorting statesmen, there is little room for taking the time for investigating crimes, he said. ‘That is why there is no quality and detection is also less, which further encourages criminals to commit more crimes.’

He further suggested installation of more CCTV cameras around Dimapur would also help mitigate the theft cases, one of the major crime related activity in Dimapur at present. “So I have already put up these suggestions with the higher authorities recently,” he said. 

Meanwhile, he encouraged the new team to work hard and be serious about their duties as “this is the best place of posting,” and to rely on team effort rather than individual’s prowess. “For me, the law and order situation in Dimapur can be controlled if the team works sincerely and diligently. Further, he viewed that no one should take advantage of their posting to try to indulge in profiteering business.  

Building rapport crucial to policing  
Meanwhile, Tetseo said that building good, healthy relations with the civil-administration, medical department, paramilitary forces and also the Civil Society Organisations is needed along with possessing open communication channels with the media. 

“During my time, I’m proud to say that I had a really good relationship with the media,” he expressed. In addition, the outgoing officer suggested the need for some police officer to share their and opinions through writing articles or editorials in newspapers at times. “That way it might help disseminate policies and actions of the police.” 

He also acknowledged a lack of trust permeating among the public when it comes to the police. “The public have the right to be critical about Dimapur police because it is already assumed that one is posted here through political backing,” he said. 

To this end, he opined that a transparent selection process should be practised before being posted in Dimapur.

“Trust deficiency exists no doubt, because at time we have also failed to win the confidence of the people. Otherwise not every police is corrupt.” He further stated that was “satisfied with what I have done” during his tenure, adding: “If we had failed to fulfil our duties in any area due to inaction, then I’m truly sorry for that.”

Tetseo will take charge as the DIG (Range) at Kohima. He first joined the Nagaland Police Service in 1991 completing 31 years of service.   

Source: https://morungexpress.com/rely-on-team-effort-not-individual-prowess-tetseo