Panaji: The Goa Police now carries a national distinction that reflects more than eight decades of policing in a state where security extends from crowded tourist spots to a long coastline and, increasingly, the digital space.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah presented the President’s Colour to the Goa Police in Panaji on Monday, recognising its service, courage, discipline and professional record. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik and senior officials attended the ceremony.
Shah said the Goa Police has handled the state’s internal security as well as the responsibility of protecting its extensive maritime boundary. Its role has also extended to keeping tourists safe, an important part of protecting Goa’s tourism-driven economy.
The ceremony also became an occasion to remember personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. Shah paid tribute to Balaram Shinde, Abhishek Sher, Shailesh Gaonkar and Vishwas B. Deykar, whose service, he said, contributed to the force earning the honour.
For a police force operating in one of India’s busiest tourist destinations, speed of response has been another area of focus. The Goa Police’s 112 emergency response time has come down from 18 minutes to eight minutes. Nearly 20,000 calls have received prompt assistance, and Shah said the addition of more vehicles and two-wheelers could bring the response time below six minutes.
Technology is also beginning to change how Goa Police handles complaints. An AI-based call agent has been launched for the 1930 cyber fraud helpline, allowing complaints to be registered in languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and then routed to the appropriate authority. Shah said the system would be particularly useful in Goa, where people arrive from different parts of the country and may need to report cyber fraud in languages other than Konkani or Marathi.
He said the 1930 helpline would become an important line of defence against cyber fraud as India’s digital economy expands.
The Goa Police has also recorded a sharp improvement in its conviction rate. According to Shah, the rate has risen from 23 per cent to 53 per cent in just one year, a 30 percentage point increase. The force has also recorded 93.38 per cent progress in implementing the three new criminal codes and currently ranks second nationally after remaining at the top for several months.
Shah said the new criminal laws bring technology, forensic processes, sensitivity and faster justice into policing, with greater integration between police stations, forensic laboratories, courts, prisons, hospitals and other parts of the criminal justice system.
The Home Minister also outlined the Centre’s 2026-2029 roadmap for a drug-free India and expressed confidence that Goa Police would play a leading role in the fight against narcotics.
He also asked the force to begin preparations for the 2029 International Police Sports Championship, which will include police and fire services personnel. For Goa Police, he said, sporting excellence should extend beyond football, with physical fitness particularly important for personnel responsible for policing a state with a long coastline and a population of more than 15 lakh.
BI Bureau
