PERSPECTIVE- National Security: Bureau of Police Research and Development | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Context

Details

• Despite these difficulties, India has grown stronger and is now seen as a global leader. The BPR&D's evolution over five decades shows the success of its mission to professionalize the Indian police for the citizens' benefit.
• Its task is to understand the police needs and issues and promote research with various bodies, organizations, ministries, universities, and state police. This helps create well-informed policies to solve our country's problems.
• Today, police deal not only with traditional crime but also cybercrime and state-backed terrorism. This increases the duties and risks for them. The BPR&D equips our national security defenders with skills, knowledge, and tools to serve the country better.

About the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D)

Its Major Functions

• Studying crime prevention measures and their effectiveness.
• Analyzing police force structure, methods, and modernization.
• Improving investigation methods and introducing scientific aids.
• Engaging in conferences and social defense programs.
• Collaborating on international crime prevention efforts.

Development Division

• Reviewing and developing police equipment, like arms, riot control gear, etc.
• Cooperating with labs, institutions, and organizations.
• Promoting indigenous police equipment production.
• Applying computer technology in police work.
• Managing police publicity and training programs.

Training Division

• Adapting police training to changing conditions and scientific techniques.
• Creating various training courses for different police ranks.
• Establishing training institutes and preparing educational material.
• Distributing educational content among officers.

Correctional Administration

• Analyzing prison statistics and general problems.
• Sharing relevant information with states.
• Coordinating research studies and providing guidelines.
• Updating training programs.
• Creating uniform training modules for correctional staff.

What are the issues faced by Police Forces in India?

• In India, government ministers hold authority over the police to ensure they are accountable. But this power has been misused, as politicians have used the police for personal or political reasons.

Infrastructure Shortcomings:

• According to reports by CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) and BPRD (Bureau of Police Research and Development), the weapons used by lower-ranking police are outdated compared to modern weaponry used by criminals.
• Police vehicles are limited in number, and newer vehicles are needed to replace old ones, but there aren't enough drivers.
• The POLNET (Police Telecommunication Network) project launched in 2002 aimed to connect police through satellite communication, but it's not fully operational in some states.

Crime Investigation:

• Crime per lakh population increased by 28% from 2005 to 2015.
• Police lack training for professional investigations, legal understanding (like evidence rules), and have weak forensic and cyber infrastructure.
• Quality of investigations has dropped due to more crimes, low convictions, staff shortages, and heavy workloads.

Budget Constraints:

• State police handle law and order and crimes, while central forces aid with intelligence and security challenges.
• About 3% of central and state budgets go to police expenses.

What are the ideas for Police reform?

• Create a separate police group solely for investigations, apart from regular duties.

State Security Commission (SSC):

• State Governments should form a State Security Commission (SSC) to prevent undue political influence on the police, set policies, and evaluate police performance.

Specialized Investigation Units:

• To improve investigations, have dedicated units within the police force focused solely on investigating crimes.

Limiting Political Control:

• Reduce political control over police, keeping it focused on professional efficiency and lawful conduct.

Independent Complaints Authority:

• Establish an independent body to investigate allegations of police misconduct and ensure accountability.

Community Policing:

• Enhance the relationship between police and the public by implementing community policing, where police work closely with communities to prevent crime and maintain order.

Janamaithri Suraksha in Kerala:

• Kerala's Janamaithri Suraksha project improves police-community relations through beat constables engaging with residents and forming committees with various community members.

Supreme Court Guidelines:

• The Supreme Court suggests forming state security commissions, establishing police complaints authorities, and separating investigative and law enforcement officers.

Conclusion

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a SMART police force: Strict, Sensitive, Modern, Alert, Reliable, Tech-savvy.
• Treating citizens with dignity and transparency boosts compliance with laws and reduces crime.
• Positive steps are essential for reforming the police force and ensuring fair enforcement.
• Model Police Act, 2006

Key features of the Model Police Act, of 2006 include

• Key features include one police service per state, headed by DGP, recruitment through state-level boards, and responsibilities such as enforcing laws, maintaining order, preventing terrorism, and helping in disasters.
• Special crime investigation units handle serious cases in specific areas, led by at least a sub-inspector.