Gondia district, located 170 km from Nagpur, is one of the most attractive tourism destinations of Maharashtra. With a national park, sanctuary, dams. waterfalls and the traditional culture of the Gondia tribals prompt many people to visit this district. Apart from the beauty of the Vidarbha, Gondia is infamous for being the breeding ground for the Naxal movement. This has become a challenge for the Gondia Police to look after the security of tourists as well as the locals, while dealing with naxal activities.
Gondia Police is one of the most widespread police district of Maharashtra. Its mission is to make the district a safer place to live. This is possible with the partnership of the community. Gondia Police is headed by the Superintendent of Police – Mangesh Shinde (IPS). He is assisted by the Additional Superintendent of Police – Atul Kulkarni (IPS), and two Deputy Superintendent of Police and four Sub-divisional Police Officers.
Gondia Police has dedicated several departments to monitor crime in the district. The Headquarter maintains the Reserve Police Force used for guard duty, escort and other regular duties. Basic police training is provided at the HQ from time to time.
Cyber Security
The number of cyber crimes registered is increasing, becoming a topic of concern for the local police. The State Police Department has order each of its city and district police force to set up a Cyber Cell to deal with online fraudsters and cyber-related crimes. It also provides technology and technical help in investigating cybercrime cases.
The Gondia Police has cautioned the locals to follow these safety measures.
- Keep your password/PIN codes safe and memorise them
- Make sure that online banking website is secure
- Log out immediately after completing any online transaction
- Use anti-virus, anti-spyware and personal firewall. Update them regularly
- Do not copy or click on any link attached to emails
- Do not respond to emails asking for personal information
- Read privacy and policy statements before any transaction
- Check account statements regularly to ensure that no unauthorised transaction has taken place.
Traffic Branch
Gondia Police’s Traffic Branch monitors traffic movement in the district. To curb accidents due to over-speeding, rash driving etc, it has started educating the locals about road safety. “Road safety awareness is one of the important topics as the number of road fatalities are increasing. We should be well aware of road safety measures and rules so that the number of accidents can be controlled. Under various initiatives undertaken by the Gondia Police, we try to educate the people and asked them to obey traffic rules,” said a police officer.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS)
CCTNS has evolved as a Mission Mode Project (MMP) under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). It is proposed to be implemented in all police stations and all supervisory offices of Maharashtra. Various committees viz State Apex Committee, under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, State Empowered Committee under the chairmanship of the DGP, Maharashtra, and the State Mission Team under the chairmanship of the Addl. DGP, CID, Pune, have been formulated for monitoring and ensuring smooth implementation of the project. CID, Pune, is the nodal agency for implementing the CCTNS project in Maharashtra.
CCTNS has been put into service at Gondia District Police, in which all police stations have an updated FIR-related database online. All police officers are well-trained and are provided user IDs and passwords for proper functioning of CCTNS software. All entries like FIR, missing, dead bodies, arrested persons, criminals etc. are entered online.
Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS)
This outfit was created by the Govt of Maharashtra to counter terrorism. It aims at collecting and collating information of anti-national elements working in any part of Maharashtra. It works in coordination with central agencies like the IB, RAW, etc. The ATS also keeps in touch with similar agencies of other States. It aims at tracking and neutralizing activities of terror groups, mafia and other organized crime syndicates, detecting counterfeit currency notes rackets, and smuggling of narcotic substances.
Local Crime Branch
This Branch is involved in major criminal probes and sensitive crime detection. The LCB staff is very intelligent and is quick in crime detection. Since the entire district is a sensitive zone, this Branch performs parallel investigations with police stations in major important crimes. They are highly organized in maintenance of various types of records of crimes and criminals.
LCB Sub-branches
Modus Operandi Bureau (MOB): This branch collects information of criminals’ modus operandi, maintains records like Known Criminal Register, History Sheet Register, Convicted Persons Registered and Mageterial Custody Remand (MCR). The collated information helps the investigating team by giving suggestions regarding offenders likely to be involved in offences, thus preventing and keeping crime under control. It also visits sensitive crime scenes like murder for gain, undetected and political murder. It keeps watch over dacoity with arms committed by habitual criminals; and serial dacoities in specific areas; robbery with arms and ammunition by habitual criminals, and serial robberies in specific areas. It takes into cognizance burglaries, temple thefts, and House Break Thefts (HBT) by habitual criminals and known gangs.
Stree Squad: Understanding the importance of women safety, the police have launched ‘Stree Squad’, to spread awareness among citizens about crimes taking place in Gondia and educating women about safety measures to be taken when an incident takes place. 
“The Stree Squad consists of senior police personnel along with some lady police constables who will visit public places, school, colleges to talk with young girls and explain the precaution one should take if they are stalked, eve-teased or molested. The Squad will share their number with the students and asked them to alert them if they witness such incidents,” said a police officer.
The Stree Squad also started initiatives for the aged, women and children as well as naxal surrender policy and their rehabilitation.
Student Police Cadet Programme: This is conducted every year when a team of police personnel visit different schools, colleges and educate students about road safety, cybercrime, naxalite movement, corruption etc. “Youth are the future of the country. Educating them is vital as they should be aware about what is happening around them. Road safety and cybercrime awareness is a must as the number of accidents due to rash driving, and cyber related frauds, are increasing,” said a police officer. He went on to add that, “It is similar to Police Reformation Day as students get to interact with cops and also understand the functioning of police stations, officers attached to this programme, etc.”
Mobile Police Stations: To bridge the gap between cops and locals citizens, and to assure villagers that the police are always ready to help them, mete justice to them and assist them in resolving issues, temporary police posts were established in rural areas. 
The Aplya Gavi programme was launched by the then SP – Vinita Sahu, the first lady SP of Gondia. Owing to the positive response in rural areas, it was then adopted in Gondia. At the launch, villagers were advised on steps to prevent online fraud or other kinds of cyber crime, rules for domestic violence, acts to help women, etc.
Vox Pop
Adesh Sharma:
Gondia Police is very supportive and efficient. The entire force is well behaved and good. Stree Squad is also doing a very good job.
Aman Agrawal:
They provide efficient and prompt service. I have not heard of any corruption or mistreatment from the staff towards anyone till date. The officers are very cooperative. They address issues with patience. They are keeping Gondia safe.
