Reflecting on My Journey as the Goa Police PRO

 Reflecting on My Journey as the Goa Police PRO

​By John Aguiar

​PANAJI – In the world of law enforcement, the gap between the uniform and the citizen can often feel like a vast canyon. During my six-year tenure as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Goa Police, I viewed my role not just as a job, but as a mission to build a bridge across that divide. Looking back now, it was a career defined by a drive for transparency, innovation, and a constant effort to humanize the department I am so proud to serve.

​Inheriting a Vision, Creating a Legacy

​When I took over the mantle from Shri Atmaram Deshpande, IPS (now IGP Delhi Police), I knew I wanted to shift our approach toward proactive communication. I didn’t just want to react to news; I wanted to help shape the department’s identity.

​One of my proudest moments was moving the initial proposal for an official Arm Badge for the Goa Police. At the time, I recognized a void in our visual identity. Today, seeing that symbol as a staple of the uniform brings a deep sense of institutional pride.

​Similarly, I looked toward the Puducherry Police to model the "Best Police Station Award." My goal was simple: foster healthy competition to improve service delivery. If we could motivate our officers, the ultimate beneficiary would be the common man walking into a station seeking help.

​Innovation in the Ranks

​My work wasn’t limited to the police force alone. As Honorary Company Commander of the Home Guards and Civil Defence, I drafted the notification for the Goa CM’s Gold Medal. It was a poetic moment in my career when I became one of the first recipients of the honor I helped establish—a validation of the hard work we were all putting in.

​Bridging the Digital Divide

​Today, "social media management" is a standard department in any organization, but when I started, we had to be pioneers. Alongside journalist Prasad Kankonkar, I helped introduce the use of media WhatsApp groups to Goa. We were likely among the first in the country to provide real-time updates and daily planners to the press this way.

​I turned the PRO room at the Headquarters into a "hotspot"—not just for news gathering, but for a genuine exchange of information. It was about building a relationship of trust with the press corps.

​"Sad Samvad": The Human Side of Policing

​Of all the initiatives I was part of, "Sad Samvad" remains closest to my heart. When I suggested the name for this community policing project, I wanted to capture the essence of "Open Dialogue." By opening channels of communication on sensitive issues like human trafficking and drug peddling, we created a space where locals and tourists alike felt they had a voice and a protector.

​Integrity Under Pressure

​Public relations is often tested in times of crisis. I remember the UTTA rally in Cuncolim vividly. When a senior political leader bypassed protocols to meet a leader in custody, I was faced with a choice. I chose factual transparency. By providing the media with the accurate, factual position of the department, we upheld our integrity during a very volatile moment.

​That commitment to truth was validated by the late Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar. After a change in government, I resigned my additional responsibility as PRO, but Shri Parrikar promptly reappointed me. Knowing that my value was seen as non-partisan and professional by a leader of his stature remains a highlight of my professional life.

​A Shared Success

​No man is an island, and my tenure was fueled by the support of visionary DGPs like Dr. Aditya Arya, Shri Muktesh Chander, and Shri Kishan Kumar. I was also incredibly lucky to have a dedicated core team, including PSI Durgakumar Navti and others, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

​I feel a great sense of fulfillment because I indulged myself fully in the work. Whether it was transforming the Goa Police Newsletter or changing how we interacted with the public, I am happy to have contributed in my own small way to making the department better.

​As the Goa Police continues to evolve, I hope the blueprint we laid down—one of transparency and community-first communication—continues to serve as a gold standard.