Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 8: A persistent shortage of women police personnel is affecting police stations across Goa, with the situation at the Panaji police station highlighting a broader staffing crisis that has raised concerns about the handling of cases involving women and children.
Sources in the police department said the women's help desk at the Panaji police station, one of the state's busiest police stations, is frequently left unattended due to inadequate staffing. The problem persists despite sanctioned posts and repeated attempts by the department to fill vacancies through transfers.
According to officials, two women constables attached to the Anti Human Trafficking Unit under the Women Police Station were transferred to Panaji police station on June 13, 2025. However, nearly a year later, they continue to serve in their previous assignments.
Their continued retention has drawn concern within the department, particularly as Panaji police station struggles with manpower shortages. Sources also pointed out that the anti-trafficking unit has reportedly not conducted any rescue operations during the same period.
The issue extends beyond these two personnel. Three additional women constables posted at Valpoi police station, the Mapusa Escort Cell and Mapusa police station are also yet to be relieved despite transfer orders directing their posting to Panaji.
Shortages are more severe at supervisory levels. Departmental sources revealed that four women police sub-inspectors transferred to Panaji police station are currently unavailable. Two proceeded on child care leave after reporting for duty, while the remaining two have yet to join. The station also has no woman assistant sub-inspector, creating further challenges in handling cases involving women, children and vulnerable victims.
Sources said internal communications highlighting the shortages have been circulated repeatedly, but little progress has been made in addressing the issue.
At Porvorim Police Station, both sanctioned posts of women assistant sub-inspectors remain vacant. The station also has no women head constables and only eight women constables against a sanctioned strength of 12.
Departmental records indicate shortages of women personnel across nearly every rank in North Goa. Police stations in Panaji, Old Goa, Porvorim, Mapusa and Calangute are all reportedly in need of women police inspectors. The district is estimated to be short of around five inspectors, 14 sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, 10 head constables and 10 constables.
South Goa is facing a similar situation, with records showing vacancies for one woman police inspector, 22 women sub-inspectors, four assistant sub-inspectors, two head constables and 37 constables.
Police sources said that due to the shortage of women personnel, male officers are often required to accompany women victims to police stations, crime scenes and medical examinations, creating operational and procedural challenges.
The staffing crisis has been compounded by delays in implementing transfer orders affecting both women and male personnel. Senior officers have repeatedly warned of disciplinary action against those failing to comply with transfer directives.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar has reportedly issued multiple warnings, including the possibility of salary freezes and disciplinary measures for non-compliance.
During a review meeting held on April 4 last year, senior officers directed that all pending transfers be implemented within 48 hours. When compliance remained poor, a department-wide order issued on April 11, 2025, instructed the immediate relieving of personnel transferred between 2020 and 2025.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also publicly warned that failure to comply with transfer orders would invite strict action.
Despite these directives, police sources said hundreds of personnel across the force continue to remain at their existing postings, further aggravating staffing shortages and operational challenges.