Tag: GS 3 || Security || Tackling Security Threats || Police

Why In News?

In a new report that looks at the working conditions of police in India, one key finding is about the political pressure perceived by police, and the extent to which this hampers their investigations.

About the Report

‘Status of Policing in India Report 2019: Police Adequacy and Working Conditions’ has been prepared by Common Cause and the Lokniti programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS).

Key Findings

28% of police personnel believe that pressure from politicians is the biggest hindrance in a crime investigation.

believe that pressure from politicians is the in a crime investigation. Taking into account various kinds of obstacles, 2 in 5 police personnel believe that these pressures are the biggest obstacle in crime investigation.

that these pressures are the biggest obstacle in crime investigation. The other obstacles cited were related to society, legal systems and internal working systems in police.

Popular cases

38% of personnel reported always facing pressure from politicians in cases of crime involving influential persons.

always facing pressure from politicians in cases of crime involving influential persons. Roughly one third also reported “always ” facing pressure from their seniors in the police force.

” facing pressure from their seniors in the police force. This proportion drops to one-fifth of the police “always” facing pressure from media, while about 14% reported that they “always” faced pressure from human rights organisations/NGOs, judiciary and the common public in cases involving influential people.

Minorities at risk

One in two police personnel surveyed feel that Muslims are likely to be “naturally prone ” to committing crimes.

are likely to be ” to committing crimes. It also found that 35 percent of police personnel interviewed for the survey think it is natural for a mob to punish the “culprit” in cases of cow slaughter, and 43 percent think it is natural for a mob to punish someone accused of rape.

What does this imply?

The findings are certainly worrying when rapid social transformation demands a robust and sensitised police force in the country.

The training given to officers , a 6-month crash course on civil and Criminal Procedure Codes , the Indian Penal Code and the Evidence Act may not be sufficient.

, and the Evidence Act may not be sufficient. On the other hand, there are simply not enough people to do the fundamental job.

eg . in U.P. and Haryana, there are as many as 60% and 53% vacancies in positions reserved for SCs, STs, OBCs, and women

There are vacancies at all ranks, but those in senior ranks are higher than those in the constabulary.

What is to be done?

There is a need to insulate police personnel from political influence .

. Transfer as a form of punishment for displeasing someone should be reconsidered.

Unlike most functioning democracies, India’s police force does not have its genesis in the concept of public service .

. It is instead the creation of the British as an instrument of enforcement and oppression.

So, above all, India’s police force should be redesigned to work as a protector of citizens – of all citizens’ security, rights, and property, without bias.

Mains Question

Comment on the urgency to have necessary police reforms in India.

Additional Info

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/telling-numbers-does-political-pressure-hinder-probes-police-reflect-in-survey-5945874/