Police Reforms
India’s policing history:
- Following the 1857 uprising, the British established a police force with the primary objective of defending their imperial interests.
- During the war for liberation, they mostly deployed the police to repress and imprison revolutionaries and freedom fighters.
- In the years that followed Independence, the police force lost its reputation as a people-friendly force and came to be perceived as elite and power-friendly.
Police Overreach:
- Thousands of individuals were imprisoned and human rights were suppressed under the emergency, including all of the political opponents of the in power regime, with impunity.
National Police Commission:
- A National Police Commission was subsequently established in 1977, and its conclusions contained comprehensive, multifaceted proposals for police changes.
- Reforming police forces at the individual and institutional levels has not progressed very far.
The Indian government’s efforts include:
There have been several steps taken by the Indian government to improve policing, including:
- Decriminalization initiatives for minor offences and violations as well as efforts to update the Identification of Prisoners Act of 1920, a law that was enacted more than a century ago.
The Prime Minister is advocating for a police force that is SMART, which is:
- Strict and Sensitive, Mobile and Modern
- Aware and responsible,
- responsive and trustworthy,
- Tech-savvy and educated
- The deeper integration of technology into the day-to-day operations of the police is a top objective for the government.
- The Indian Police Foundation is making efforts to bring internal reforms, technology adaption, digital transformation, and training to strengthen the professional and ethical standards of the police to realise the vision of a SMART Indian Police.
The following reforms were proposed by NITI Aayog:
Legislative changes at the state level:
- The “Model Police Act of 2015,” which modernises the police’s mandate, should be encouraged by states with financial incentives.
operational and administrative reforms:
- Under the MHA, a task force must be established to determine which non-core tasks can be contracted out in order to save on labour costs and lessen the pressure placed on the police.
- You can hire private agents or government divisions to do tasks like delivering court summonses and verifying applicants’ addresses and antecedents for passports or jobs.
- Encourage the states to make sure that there is a greater representation of women in the police force.
- India should establish a central national contact to handle the citizens’ urgent security demands.
- To combat rising interstate crime and terrorism in a coordinated manner, NITI Aayog also advises adding police and public order to the Concurrent List.
Police force problems:
Colonial Law:
- Even now, colonial law serves as the foundation for India’s police system.
- Occasionally, the British utilised the police to stifle public opinion and serve their own purposes, and at the moment, our esteemed government is doing the same.
Massive vacancies:
- In 2016, 181 police were authorised per lakh people; however, only 137 police were really present.
- When compared to the recommended threshold of 222 police per lakh people set by the United Nations, this is considerably too low.
- Additionally, a large percentage of open positions in the police forces exacerbates the issue of overworked officers.
Suicide in Custody:
- There are several instances of court or police-related detention-related deaths caused by torture or pressure.
- In the D.K.Basu ruling from 1996–1997, the Supreme Court (SC) of India issued a directive opposing custodial death in that country.
Police equipment (weapons, vehicles, etc.):
- Strong communication support, cutting-edge or modern weapons, and high levels of mobility are essential for modern policing.
- Even the allocated funds for the fund are underutilised.
Law against Torture:
- The “United Nations Convention on Torture” has only been signed by India; the Parliament has not yet approved it.
- There is no particular law against torture in India.
Political Meddling:
- Political leaders’ meddling prevents police officers from performing their duties.
- Officers at higher posts are not protected by a minimum tenure requirement or even a place posting guarantee.
Promotions and workplace circumstances:
- Particularly at lower levels of officials, police personnel’s training and qualifications fall short of expectations.
- Police officers in lower ranks frequently suffer verbal abuse from their superiors or are forced to work in appalling conditions.
- Their interaction with the public is eventually impacted by this hostile work environment.
Structural difficulty:
- Class 4 police constables are asked to employ advanced scientific technology without receiving the proper training.
Next Steps:
- In order to maintain India’s economic growth and sustain law and order in the nation, police reforms need be implemented.
- Since policing is a state responsibility, the states must take the initiative in this movement for police reform.
- enhancing police infrastructure to meet the demands of contemporary policing. The accommodation options for police officers should be upgraded.
- bolstering local police departments, which are frequently the first to respond.
- To keep the public’s faith in the system, criminal cases brought against public officials and politicians must be resolved quickly.
- Police officers should treat the general populace with respect, be approachable, understanding, sensitive, and open to their specific needs.
