Police

Issues Concerning Police Forces:

• Colonial Legacy: The Police Act of 1861 was legislated by the British right after the revolt of 1857 to bring in efficient administration of police in the country and to prevent any future revolts – Repressive, Draconion
• This meant that the police were to always comply with those in power.
• Accountability to the Political Executives vs Operational Freedom: The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC-2007) has noted that political control has been abused in the past by the political executive to unduly influence police personnel, and have them serve personal or political interests.
• Psychological Pressure: While improvements in pay scale and promotions are necessary aspects of police reforms, little has been spoken about reforms needed at the psychological level.
• In the Indian police force, the lower ranks of police personnel are often verbally abused by their superiors or they work in inhuman conditions, 15-hour Duty; No proper Leave, Week-Off
• Use of lower ranks for personal work of higher officials
• This non-harmonious work environment ultimately affects their relationship with the public.
• Public Perception: The Second ARC has noted that police-public relations is in an unsatisfactory State because people view the police as corrupt, inefficient, politically partisan and unresponsive.
• Further, citizens in general fear going to a police station or dealing with the lower ranks of the police forces.
• Overburdened Force: While the sanctioned police strength was 181 police per lakh persons in 2016, the actual strength was 137 police; United Nations ‘recommended standard of 222 police per lakh persons.
• Constabulary Related Issues: The constabulary constitutes 86% of the State police forces and has wide-ranging responsibilities, multiplicity of works
• Infrastructural Issues: Modern policing requires strong communication support, state-of the-art or modern weapons, and a high degree of mobility.
• However, CAG audit reports of year 2015-16, have found shortages in weaponry with state police forces.
• For example, Rajasthan and West Bengal had shortages of 75% and 71% respectively in required weaponry with the state police.
• Also, the Bureau of Police Research and Development has also noted a 30.5% deficiency in stock of required vehicles with the state forces.
• Quality of Investigation – Abysmal levels & lack of updation of laws
• Reluctance to file a Case due to over burden & Apathy
• Poor Physical fitness
• Huge corruption
• Unholy nexus with politicians & criminals

Way Forward: Police

• Modernisation of Police Force - The Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme was initiated in 1969-70 and has undergone several revisions over the years.
• Procurement of modern weapons.
• Mobility of police forces.
• Logistics support, upgradation of police wireless, etc.
• A National satellite network.

SC Judgement in Prakash Singh Case

• Constitute a state security commission to make sure that the state does not exercise undue influence on the police.
• The DGP should be appointed a transparent and merit-based process and have a minimum tenure of two years.
• Other police officers on operational duties should also be given a minimum two-year tenure.
• The law and order and investigation functions of the police should be separated.
• A Police Establishment Board should be set up to decide transfers, promotions, postings and other service-related matters of the police.
• Set up police complaints authorities at the state and district levels to enquire into complaints of the public against police officers of and above the DSP rank for serious misconduct including custodial rape and death.
• Establish a National Security Commission at the central level for preparing a panel for the selection and placement of Chiefs of the Central Police Organisations with a minimum tenure of 2 years.
• It is seen that even after 14 years of these SC directives, no state is fully compliant with the reforms.
• Psychological Support to police forces
• Having Social Worker & Free Legal Aid mechanism
• Complaints mechanism for Citizens
• Undertaking administrative reforms - including separation of investigation from law and order, specialized wings for Social and Cyber Crimes, restricting the police to core functions.
• Undertaking technological reforms - including modernization of the control room, fast tracking the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS), pushing for National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) and pushing for incorporation of new technology into policing.
• Changes in recruitment - Upgrading the quality of recruits and ensuring dedication and honesty in the day-to-day delivery of service to the public is equally important.
• Replicating Model Police Act – Centre should ensure that Model Police Act is being followed by the states.
• Adopting Evidence based Policing - It is a research based approach which involves identifying hot spots of crime, spotting problematic individuals in a community and making decisions about what works in policing, which practices and strategies accomplish police missions most cost-effectively.
• Police should be a SMART Police - a police which should be Strict and Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable, Reliable and Responsible, Tech-savvy and Trained.