Police Reforms Notes

Need for Police Reforms

• Allegations of bribery, corruption, abuse of office.
• Perception of inefficiency and incompetence.
• Insensitivity towards citizens and demonstrated arrogance.
• Patronage benefiting the well-connected elite.
• Use of brute force, intimidation, and harassment.
• Outdated training not focused on citizens.
• Judicial/Criminal justice process delays and low conviction rates.
• Low police-population ratio.
• Severe stress and demoralization among officers.
• Lack of empowerment for cutting-edge functionaries.
• Poor career prospects.
• Poor accountability and lack of ownership.

Key Reform Measures

• Focus on constables: Changing aggressive colonial attitude.
• Recruitment at two levels: Constables and IPS.
• IPS quality to match IAS.
• Separation of investigation from law and order.
• Increasing staff at middle levels: ASI/SI/Inspector.
• Mandatory judicial enquiry for custodial deaths, rape in custody, etc.
• Separate economic offense wing at state level.
• Police modernization.
• Police Commissionerates for major cities.
• Register for arrest intimation.
• Scientific interrogation techniques.
• Strengthening women police force.
• Traffic regulation and management.
• Youth involvement in policing.
• Replacing Police Act, 1861.

Committees and Directives

• Dharma Vira (ICS): Chairman, National Police Commission (1977-83)
• Ribeiro Committee (1998):
  • Police Performance and Accountability Commission.
  • Fixed tenure for DGP.
  • Nodal cell at MHA for criminal-politician nexus.
  • Independent police recruitment board.
  • Minimum constable qualification: HSC exam.
• Padmanabhaiah Committee (2000):
  • Reforms in police recruitment; larger SI intake.
  • Police Training and Advisory Council.
  • Police Establishment Board for transfers.
  • Community policing philosophy.
  • Weekly offs, compulsory leave for welfare.
  • Removal of sec. 25 & 26 IE Act
• Malimath Committee (2000): Reformation of criminal justice system.
• SC Directive: Prakash Singh v Union of India (1996).
  • State Security Commission.
  • DGP selection and tenure.
  • Minimum tenure for IGP and other officers.
  • Separation of investigation.
  • Police Establishment Board.
  • Police Complaints Authority.
  • National Security Commission.
• Sorabji Committee (2006): Model Police Act.
  • Professional police service: efficient, effective, responsive, accountable.
  • Impartiality and human rights norms.

Model Police Act: Salient Features

• 5-year and Annual Plans; police as a 'plan' subject.
• State Police Boards for autonomy.
• Accountability.
• DM role limited to coordination.
• Citizen policing Committees.
• Separation of investigation wing.
• Professionalism: crime scene technicians.
• Police Welfare Bureau.

Duties of Police (as per Acts)

• Police Act, 1861:
  • Obeying orders, collecting intelligence, preventing offences, detecting offenders.
  • Inspecting drinking-shops, gaming-houses without warrant.
• Model Police Bill, 2015:
  • Keeping peace, preventing crime, preserving security.
  • Protecting public property.
  • Preventing communal violence.
  • Recording offence information and follow-up.
  • Maintaining a General Diary; Investigating offences.
  • Security, conflict resolution, assisting those in danger, medical aid.
  • Protecting vulnerable groups.
  • Traffic control; Collecting intelligence.
  • Safe custody of unclaimed property.
  • Care for those in custody; ethical conduct.

District Superintendent Responsibilities

• Security of tenure for subordinates.
• Developing staff competencies.
• Maintaining police records.
• Regular inspections and case supervisions.
• Prompt investigation of SC/ST and women/children related cases.
• Vigilance against illegal detention.
• Active involvement in law and order; SOPs.
• Redressal of public grievances.
• Staff welfare; discipline and empathy.
• Empowering women in police.
• Traffic Management.
• Disaster management; Gender sensitivity; Liaison with agencies.

Auradkar Committee Report

• Deals with pay scale revisions recommendations for different ranks of police officers in Karnataka
• Pay scale as of 2018 (in Rupees)
  • Police Constable: $23,500 - 47,650$
  • Head Constable: $27,650 - 52,650$
  • Assistant Sub-Inspector: $30,350 - 58,250$
  • Police Inspector: $43,100 - 83,900$
  • Superintendent of Police: $70,850 - 1,07,100$

Karnataka Police Strength

• Civil and District Armed Police:
  • Sanctioned strength: 94,478
  • Actual strength: 64,909
• State Armed Police:
  • Sanctioned strength: 12,575
  • Actual strength: 8,837
• Total Police (Civil and Armed):
  • Sanctioned: 107,053
  • Actual: 73,746
  • Vacancy: 33,307
• Sanctioned Civil Police per lakh population: 154.34
• Actual Civil Police per lakh population: 106.04
• Sanctioned Total Police per lakh population: 174.88
• Actual Total Police per lakh population: 120.47
• Sanctioned Civil Police per 100 sq km area: 49.26
• Actual Civil Police per 100 sq km area: 33.84
• Sanctioned Total Police per 100 sq km area: 55.82
• Actual Total Police per 100 sq km area: 38.45