According to a recent survey conducted by Common Cause and Lokniti – Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), a significant number of police personnel are under stress due to an overwhelming workload, poor work-life balance, and inadequate resources.
Key Outcomes of Survey
A key finding from the survey is that over one-third of police personnel would willingly leave their profession given the opportunity for another job with the same salaries and benefits. Three out of four surveyed revealed that the workload created a challenging environment that undermined their efficiency and adversely impacted their physical and mental health.
On average, a police officer is obliged to work 14 hours a day, which is nearly twice as long as the eight-hour duty recommended by the Model Police Act. Astonishingly, every second police person reported not receiving any weekly off day.
Challenges Faced by Police Personnel
The survey highlighted that, besides the dire work-life balance, police personnel had to cope with limited resources. The lack of basic facilities such as drinking water, clean toilets, transport, staff, and funds for routine purchases was a major concern in some police stations. Furthermore, the absence of fundamental technological facilities like computers and storage units was evident.
Approach to Judicial Processes
A casual attitude towards judicial processes was also noted among many within the police force. Around three in five personnel believed in conducting a preliminary investigation before registering a first investigation report (FIR), regardless of the severity of the reported crime. This defies a 2013 Supreme Court ruling which makes it compulsory to register an FIR if a victim reveals information about a cognisable offence.
Perspective on Dealing with Offences and Criminals
Every third police personnel agreed that for minor offences, immediate punishment meted out by the police was more conducive than a legal trial. A shocking three-fourths majority believed it was acceptable for the police to adopt a violent attitude towards criminals.
Perception of Mob Violence
The survey found a concerning casual perspective towards mob violence within a significant proportion of the police force.
Training and Skill Development
While police personnel were sufficiently trained in physical parameters, weaponry, and crowd control, many lacked training in new technology modules, cybercrime, or forensic technology.
India’s Policing in Global Perspective
| Report | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by the World Justice Project | 68 out of 126 countries |
This poor state of policing is reflected in India’s dismal ranking in the Rule of Law Index by the World Justice Project, wherein India ranked 68th out of 126 countries.
The Need for Police Reforms
As policing in India becomes increasingly challenging, there is an urgent need for reforms. Since police, law, and order fall under the state list, the government can initiate reforms by urging all states to implement recommendations issued by the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case.
