For new police officers, statutory authority is only part of earning public confidence, President Droupadi Murmu told a group of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers who met her at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on November 11, 2026.
Integrity and citizen-focused policing
The probationers belong to the 78th Regular Recruit (RR) batch of 2025. Addressing them, the President said that while their roles carry considerable authority under the laws and rules governing policing, public respect would rest on their professional performance, integrity and personal values.
Murmu said an IPS officer’s responsibilities extend beyond enforcing laws and maintaining public order. She urged the young officers to adopt a people-centric approach, particularly in their dealings with vulnerable sections of society.
Attention to those with limited access
The President called on the probationers to pay special attention to socially and economically weaker individuals, who may have limited means or opportunities to bring their concerns before senior officials.
She encouraged the officers to address such grievances and ease people’s fears, so that policing remains accessible, responsive and sensitive to every citizen’s needs.
Trust in police leadership
Murmu’s remarks highlighted public trust, ethical conduct and accountability as important aspects of police leadership. The effectiveness of law enforcement, she noted, depends not only on statutory powers but also on the confidence and respect officers earn through their actions.
The meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan came as the probationers prepare for responsibilities that include maintaining law and order, protecting citizens and upholding the rule of law across the country.
