Need for police reforms in India
- In 2006, the SC gave a landmark judgement on police reforms.
- It was felt that a new era would begin for the police but it did not happen.
Reasons why the country must push for police reforms
- Police Act of 1861 governing the police - symbol of colonial rule
- The British devised a system of different policing for themselves, where police officers were “answerable to the law and the law alone”.
- But, for Indians, they followed the Irish model
- enabled the executive to have complete authority over the police.
- The system has not been changed even seven decades of freedom.
- Hindering progress due to challenges to its internal security
- According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, violence cost the country 7 % of its GDP in 2020.
- Economic development depends on sound law which can be ensured only if we have professional police.
- Questionable background of people in Parliament
- It was 24 % in 2004, 30 % in 2009, 34 % in 2014 and 43 % in the last election held in 2019.
- The police feel hamstrung in taking action against this segment of people and their supporters who have a shady background.
- Inability of police to deal with internal security challenges as effectively as they should.
- No internal security doctrine - problems are tackled as per perception of ruling dispensation.
- State police forces find themselves incapable of tackling problems decisively.
- Lack of public confidence in the police
- Majorly in the lower strata of society
- They feel that there is one law for the poor and another for the rich.
- Happen only if the police are insulated from the influence of those with political or financial clout.
- Increasing complexity of law and order problems
- Organised crime has acquired international dimensions.
- Arms trafficking and drug trafficking know no borders.
- Cybercrimes are increasing.
- Require a very high level of sophistication and expertise by the police.
- Poor infrastructure of the police
- Huge deficiencies in human resources.
- Vacancy of more than 5,00,000 personnel must be filled.
- Huge scope for improvement in transport, communications and forensics as well.
- Poor housing conditions and long working hours
- Have an adverse impact on police performance.
- National Police Commission recommended 100 % family accommodation for all non-gazetted police personnel.
- Status of Policing in India Report, 2019 - an average policeman works for 14 hours a day and does not get any weekly off.
- There should be 12-hour shifts straightaway and gradually aimed to achieve eight-hour shifts.
- Scope for technological inputs into the functioning of police
- Would act as a force multiplier.
- Setting up of a high-powered technology mission to adopt future technologies for fulfilling grassroots policing requirements.
- Reforms must be extended to its different wings at the Centre also
- CBI does not have statutory support a
- Created on the basis of a resolution passed on April 1, 1963.
- Derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
- Also, Intelligence Bureauset up through an administrative order in 1887, also needs a statutory basis.
Conclusion
- The future of India is linked with police reforms. If the country is to progress and emerge as a great power, there is no alternative to radical reforms in the police.