Friends of Police: a community policing initiative that was shut down in Tamil Nadu after Sattankulam custodial deaths

Volunteers of ‘Friends of Police’ attending a training programme in Vellore on February 2, 2019. Representational image | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy It was in 1993 that the then Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, Pradeep V. Philip launched the ‘Friends of Police’ (FOP) initiative with a small group of volunteers. The move was to bridge the gap between the police and public by allowing local youth to participate in basic policing. The FOP volunteers readily agreed to work with and for the police in guarding the shores of Ramanathapuram district. Thus came into existence an innovative community policing mechanism – ‘Friends of Police’.A year later, the then Director General of Police (DGP) S. Sripal commended the work of ‘Friends of Police’ and recommended introduction of the voluntary movement in other districts. It was only a matter of time after that. FOP teams were formed in cities and districts. Thousands of youth volunteered to join the movement over the years and the ‘Friends of Police’ initiative that always functioned under the direct supervision of the police, emerged as an essential component of night patrolling and vehicle checks across Tamil Nadu. Published - April 08, 2026 06:00 am IST