After crime, UP cops to learn AIDS prevention

Lucknow, Dec 4 (UNI) After tackling crime for several years, it is time for Uttar Pradesh (UP) police personnel to learn HIV/AIDS prevention.

Though the project to teach cops AIDS/HIV prevention is in its infancy, the police department, along with the State AIDS Control Society (UPSACS) and UNAIDS, are planning to implement a project -- the first of its kind at least in the state -- whereby all police constables would be exposed to means of HIV prevention, Inspector General (Crime) Praveen Singh told UNI here.

UP has a total of 1.2 lakh constables and 25,000 head constables.

Most of them belong to the rural set-up and are unaware of HIV/AIDS.

Because of their life style-- living in barracks and visits to red light areas-- police personnel of the lower ring are prone to get exposed to HIV.

Till date, the UP constables have never been involved in any sort of training or awareness programme pertaining to HIV prevention.

The proposed training would be held at the district level and teach them the causes of HIV/AID infection and preventive methods besides testing them for HIV.

To further strengthen the fight against AIDS, the cops would also be encouraged at a later stage to promote safe sex while on patrol in the red light areas.

UNI NAB MB AKJ DS1235