The recent government statistics revealed in the Parliament disclose a staggering number of cases registered under the police category from April to November 2015. The data, including 111 deaths in police custody and 330 instances of custodial torture, reinforces the urgent necessity for police accountability and reform.
Understanding Police Reforms
Police reforms aim to transform the values, policies, practices, and culture of police organizations. These reforms encourage police officers to uphold democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. They also aim to improve communication between the police and other aspects of the security sector, such as the courts, correction departments, and independent authorities with oversight responsibilities.
The police come under the state list of Schedule 7 of the Indian Constitution.
Committees and Commissions on Police Reforms
Various committees and commissions have been established on police reforms, attempting to address and rectify issues prevalent in police forces.
Issues Affecting Police Forces
There are several major issues negatively influencing police forces which range from colonial legacies, accountability vs. operational freedom, psychological pressure, public perception, overburdened forces, constabulary-related matters to infrastructural inadequacies.
The Police Act of 1861 was legislated following the 1857 revolt, creating an expectation for police to always comply with those in power. Moreover, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC-2007) has pointed out the misuse of political control to unduly influence police personnel.
Psychological pressures often arise from workplace abuse or inhumane conditions, affecting police-public relations. As police populations remain understaffed and overburdened, this relationship further deteriorates, with citizens viewing them as corrupt and unresponsive.
The constabulary makes up a significant proportion of the State police forces and has extensive responsibilities, whereas modern policing requirements state a need for strong communication, modern weaponry, and high mobility. Unfortunately, these needs are not being met, as demonstrated by shortages in weaponry and required vehicles.
Suggestions for Improvement
The Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme has been initiated and revised over the years to address these issues. However, it has often struggled due to inadequate financial utilization. The scheme suggests procurement of modern weapons, improved police mobility, logistics support, upgradation of police wireless, and a National satellite network.
Nevertheless, the implementation of these reforms lacks the political will, especially as identified in the landmark Prakash Singh case (2006), where seven directives for considerable police reform work were not carried out in many states.
Revamping the criminal justice system is another obligatory step for police reform. The recommendations of the Menon and Malimath Committees suggest creating a fund for compensating victims, setting up a separate national authority to deal with serious crimes, and revamping the entire criminal procedure system.
