Goa And RRU Begin Tourism Policing Training Programme
Newz Daddy Educational Updates
Panaji, Goa, on September 15th, 2025, The School of Internal Security and SMART Policing, Rashtriya Raksha University, in collaboration with the Goa Police, inaugurated the pioneering Five-Day Residential Training Programme on Tourism Policing for police officials from Jammu and Kashmir, Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Goa. This program, organised under the tourism policing initiative, signifies an important step towards upskilling and reskilling police officials and capacity building in the domain of tourism.
The inaugural session was chaired by Chief Guest Shri Alok Kumar, DGP, Goa Police; Guest of Honour Shri K. R. Chaurasia, IGP, Goa Police; Shri Bhawani Sinh Rathore, Director, SISSP, Rashtriya Raksha University; Shri Vishram Borkar, SP Training, Goa Police; Mr. Vishal Katariya, RRU; and Mr. Aditya Bhushan, RRU.
The training program was inaugurated with a welcome address by Mr. Vishal Katariya, Junior Research Officer, for the pioneering five-day residential training program on tourism policing, the first of its kind in the nation. Marking the creation of a specialised cadre, the address highlighted its significance in ensuring safe, sensitive, and professional policing for the tourism sector and emphasised safeguarding visitors, addressing region-specific challenges, and supporting India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 through culturally aware and effective tourism policing.
Shri Bhawanisinh Rathore, Director of SISSP, in his speech, referred to the concept of ‘Atithi devo bhava’ and emphasised collective efforts towards upgrading the tourism ranking of the country. He highlighted the plan of action of the RRU with regard to tourism policing based on the problem statements and inputs received during the brainstorming sessions.
Shri Alok Kumar, DGP, Goa Police, highlighted the importance of infrastructural development and spreading awareness about cultural diversity and tradition. He explained the tourism ecosystem of Goa and the response mechanism of the Goa police on the issue and challenges of tourism. Further, he stated that the police should also focus on crimes committed by the tourists.
The 5-day training program on tourism policing, scheduled from September 15th to 19th, 2025, will cover topics related to tourism policing, tourist rights, emergency response, crisis management, soft skills, communication skills, cultural sensitivity & diversity awareness, health optimization, pollution control, conflict resolution, code of conduct, contemporary challenges, and the use of AI and technology for surveillance, including hands-on and practical sessions.
As the training program progresses, it is expected that the exchange of knowledge and expertise will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the 78 participants from 5 different states and UTs, including Jammu and Kashmir, Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Goa. The program not only aims to impart advanced skills but also to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding between the law enforcement agencies and the related stakeholders.
Tourist police in Goa have existed since the 1990s. They help tourists with directions, complaints, safety, and cultural norms. Having a specialised cadre through RRU will build on that long experience. One of the problems in Goa is misbehaviour by tourists, sometimes affecting locals. Police have warned to behave properly. This makes training in cultural sensitivity & code of conduct especially relevant. There have been complaints of unregulated vehicle rentals and illegal touts harassing tourists in Goa. A trained tourism police officer can help check such issues and ensure enforcement.
Goa is considered relatively safe compared to many Indian states for tourists, but detection rates and quick responses are still areas which benefit from better training. The initiative could help improve trust among visitors. Technology and AI are increasingly used in policing, for surveillance, crowd control, and early warning. Introducing them in tourism policing helps manage emergencies, guide tourists, and prevent crime. Many tourism police units in other states already use apps, hotlines, and monitoring.
Training in health optimisation & pollution control is relevant in places like Goa, Lakshadweep, etc. Overcrowding and environmental impact threaten both tourist satisfaction and sustainability. Trained police can help balance tourism with nature preservation. State-wise coordination is key. Bringing in police officials from diverse UTs and states helps share best practices from different terrains (islands like Lakshadweep, mountainous regions like Jammu & Kashmir). Those differences demand tailored policing.