NAGPUR: The oath to be prepared to die while protecting the citizens and law of the land that every cops takes while entering the service remains on paper for most in the khaki department.

The system of selection lays stress on physical fitness, intelligence quotient, and education. It has nothing to screen the mind among aspiring cops. This time, even personal interview has been overlooked in the process. This allows some obviously unfit persons to get in.

The latest example is of constable Abhijeet Chahande of Jaripatka police station. He was jailed and suspended for allegedly raping a girl six months ago. Chahande repeated his act with the same girl while out on bail. Like Chahande, two constables of Sitabuldi police station too seem to have forgotten the vows to protect the society. They had sold off a seized bike to a traffic constable after changing the registration number plate of the vehicle, a la chain-snatchers.

There was also a case against a constable for assaulting his wife with a sharp weapon while she was returning from school. A couple of women police constables too ended their life under different circumstances. Recently, two sub-inspectors were caught red-handed taking bribe.

Former commissioner of police, Nagpur, PKB Chakraborty said that psychological screening before selection did not exist even for Indian Police Service.

"There has to be an assessment whether the man or woman is fit for the job which he or she is slated to join. There had been a number of recommendations including that of a commission instituted specifically to study the selection process. Yet, there is no implementation for reasons unknown," he said.

"Service should be allocated after one's mental aptitude and psychology is tested. If not during selection process at least in training period," said Chakraborty. The former top cop also said testing psychological bent of mind was difficult for large numbers involved during recruitment of constabulary.

"There can be cases where one would camouflage and pass the test but turn out to be a real brat later on," said Chakraborty who had introduced objective type questions in the police recruitment in the state as assistant inspector general of police, training and special unit.

City police chief Ankush Dhanvijay said that all his department had was a provision for mental aptitude and psychological training in the training schedule. "At the IPS level, we can mention some special abilities of an officer in the annual assessment and that may have a bearing on his or her future postings," he said.

Psychiatrist Dr Pawan Adatia said that a group test could be organized during the recruitment process for the constabulary.

"There should be tests on complete personality development, aptitude and social skills. These tests can be done in fairly large groups too. In personal interview, one can be asked about history of psychological problems," he said.

"The test on social skill for the police is very crucial as they deal with the people almost round the clock. Things can go wrong if there is lack of proper interaction skills and communication gaps," he added.