IIMBue 2018: ‘Police force is male dominated’, says IPS officer D Roopa

Bengaluru, July 20: During a panel discussion on women at workforce at IIMBue 2018 Leadership Conclave, IPS officer Roopa D. Moudgil said that women have to work on courage and risk taking ability. She also explained how the behaviour of women in the police force had changed over the years.

Consul General of Israel to South of India, Dana Kursh, and Founding Director of Science Gallery Bangalore, Jahnavi Phalkey, were also part of the discussion panel.

"Police force is male dominated. And women can get sidelined. The first generation of women police officers (who entered service in 70s and 80s) thought that behaving like a man was the way to go about. Later the second generation of lady police officers who joined in 90s thought they brought warmth and softer aspect to the profession," the senior Karnataka police officer best known for exposing the rot in Bengaluru's central jail said.

"The women joining the force now feel that bringing in the best of you is the way forward. They feel there is no need to change yourself, just do what you are good at," she added.

Jahnavi Phalkey said that many women can do the role of a male quite well. She said though a lot has changed, still "there are strong hierarchies in the workplace".

"Increase in number of women in the workforce is happening and it should be accepted," she said.

Dana Kursh called for empathy and compassion at the workforce, hoping that rising number of women at work would bring in those two elements in workforce.

"Soft power is a stronger force than regular force," she added.

When Roopa, currently IGP (HomeGuards and CivilDefence) in the Karnataka Police, was asked whether a woman crying is a sign of weakness, she said women have to work on courage.

"Women have to work on courage and risk taking ability. Taking risk, preferably calculated risks, is important to have an edge. But risk taking will benefit only with competence. If you know you are right, go ahead with it," she said.

Roopa was then asked to speak about the risks she took in her career as a police officer and she was quick to dwell on the Sashikala episode.

"When I gave a report on privileges to VIPs in prisons. I knew there would be objections. But I also knew that we are public servants and are drawing salary from public money. We have to be responsible," she said.

She called on women to speaks out, adding, "Women have more courage to speak out because we are not obliged."

To this, Jahnavi said, "I agree with Roopa."

Towards the end of the session, Dana said India and Israel have a lot in common, particularly value system.

Roopa also pointed out at a particular attitude of women that needs to change and said, "Women tend to take secondary role. Even working women tend to consider themselves as playing a second fiddle to their husbands at home. They usually say that men are running home, I am just contributing."

IIMBue, the annual leadership conclave hosted by IIM-B Alumni Association, is being held today. This is the third edition of the annual event and the theme for this year is 'Sensing The Future'.