PMC to Stop Using Its Guards as Police Witnesses, Citing Risk to Civic Property Security
Pune Municipal Corporation halts practice of deputing its security guards as third‑party police witnesses, citing compromised security at civic sites.
Pune | November 22, 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to stop deputing its security guards to serve as police witnesses, citing growing concerns that this practice leaves municipal properties vulnerable. Security personnel are a critical resource for safeguarding civic facilities such as offices, hospitals, schools, and water treatment plants. Officials realized that repeatedly sending them for legal duties diverts manpower from their core responsibilities, weakening overall security.
PMC employs over 1,500 guards, with only a portion being permanent staff and the remainder on contract. Many of these personnel were frequently called upon to act as independent witnesses during investigations or for recording evidence in legal proceedings. However, this practice meant guards often spent hours away from their assigned sites, leaving key municipal assets under-protected. Contract guards, in particular, sometimes leave their positions before legal matters conclude, further complicating matters.
To address these concerns, PMC has instructed department heads that no guards should be sent for police witness duty going forward. Instead, other civic employees will be tasked with this responsibility. Officials emphasize that the current guard strength is already stretched, and any diversion reduces the effectiveness of property security.
This change is expected to strengthen protection at municipal facilities across Pune. Civic administrators are also exploring long-term solutions, including hiring private security agencies on multi-year contracts to ensure continuous surveillance and safeguard vital infrastructure.
By keeping security personnel on-site, PMC aims to enhance safety for both the public and municipal property, while maintaining operational readiness across all civic assets.
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