Kerala Police launches monthly 'Appreciation Day' to honour officers, citizens
Synopsis
Kerala Police has institutionalised monthly recognition by declaring the fourth Saturday of every month 'Appreciation Day' — a state-wide directive requiring District Police Chiefs to publicly honour both officers and citizens who have gone beyond the ordinary. The move signals a rare, structured effort to embed community trust-building into routine policing.
Key Takeaways
Kerala Police has launched a monthly 'Appreciation Day' on the fourth Saturday of every month across all police districts.
Law and Order ADGP P.
Vijayan has directed all District Police Chiefs to organise recognition programmes at district or unit headquarters.
Eligible honourees include officers who showed bravery, investigative skill, or exceptional dedication , and citizens who contributed to public safety .
Recognition will take the form of certificates of appreciation, mementoes , or other appropriate honours.
Districts must submit monthly records and photographs to the Law and Order ADGP before the first day of the following month.
The Kerala Police has launched a new monthly recognition initiative under which police personnel and civilians who contribute to public safety will be formally honoured on the fourth Saturday of every month, designated as 'Appreciation Day', across all police districts in the state. The move is aimed at boosting morale, acknowledging exceptional service, and deepening public cooperation with law enforcement.
What the Initiative Entails
Law and Order Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P. Vijayan has directed all District Police Chiefs to organise Appreciation Day programmes at district or unit headquarters. Officers who demonstrated exemplary conduct, investigative skills, bravery, or outstanding dedication during the previous month will be identified and publicly recognised at these functions.
Citizens who provided valuable assistance to the police or made notable contributions to public safety are also eligible for recognition. Honours will be conferred in the form of certificates of appreciation, mementoes, or other appropriate tokens of recognition.
Who Will Attend and How It Works
District Police Chiefs have been directed to attend these programmes without exception. Zonal Inspectors General and Range Deputy Inspectors General have been asked to participate wherever possible, lending institutional weight to the ceremonies. The events are expected to draw police personnel, their colleagues, and members of the public — creating an open platform for community acknowledgement.
If the fourth Saturday cannot be observed for any reason, the programme must be conducted on an earlier date within the same month, ensuring continuity of the initiative.
Documentation and Reporting Requirements
Every district has been directed to maintain monthly records of all officers and citizens honoured, along with details of the specific work or contribution that earned them recognition. Reports and photographs from each event must be submitted to the Law and Order ADGP before the first day of the following month.
Why This Matters
The initiative reflects a broader push within the Kerala Police to institutionalise recognition beyond annual award cycles. Publicly honouring both officers and civilians on a regular basis is seen as a way to reinforce a culture of accountability and community partnership. This comes amid wider conversations across Indian states about improving police-public trust and recognising frontline contributions that often go unnoticed in routine operations.
Point of View
The constable who stayed on duty through a crisis, the citizen who flagged a risk. By institutionalising monthly recognition at the district level, Kerala Police is attempting to correct that structural blind spot. The real test will be whether the directive sustains beyond the first few cycles or quietly fades into paperwork. Mandating documentation and ADGP-level reporting is a sensible accountability lever, but without independent oversight of who gets selected, the programme could become ceremonial rather than genuinely merit-driven.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kerala Police's new 'Appreciation Day' initiative?
It is a monthly recognition programme launched by the Kerala Police in which exemplary officers and public-spirited citizens are honoured on the fourth Saturday of every month, designated as 'Appreciation Day', at police district or unit headquarters across the state.
Who is eligible to be honoured under the Kerala Police Appreciation Day?
Both police personnel and members of the public are eligible. Officers who demonstrated bravery, investigative skill, exemplary conduct, or exceptional dedication during the previous month qualify, as do citizens who provided valuable assistance to the police or contributed notably to public safety.
What form will the recognition take?
Honourees will receive certificates of appreciation, mementoes, or other appropriate forms of recognition, conferred at public ceremonies attended by police personnel, colleagues, and community members.
Who directed this initiative and who must attend the programmes?
Law and Order ADGP P. Vijayan issued the directive. District Police Chiefs are required to attend without fail, while Zonal Inspectors General and Range Deputy Inspectors General have been asked to participate wherever possible.
What happens if the programme cannot be held on the fourth Saturday?
If the fourth Saturday is unavailable for any reason, the programme must be conducted on an earlier date within the same month to ensure the recognition cycle is not skipped.
