Overcoming Policing Challenges | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

During the 57th All-India Conference of Director Generals & Inspector Generals of Police, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for police forces to be more sensitive and trained in emerging technologies. He also recommended repealing obsolete criminal laws, building standards for police organizations across states, improving jail management through prison reforms, and strengthening border and coastal security. Additionally, he stressed the importance of the National Data Governance Framework in facilitating data exchange across agencies. The conference addressed a variety of topics including cybercrime, counter-terrorism challenges, left-wing extremism, capacity building, and futuristic themes in policing and security. The conference was held in a hybrid format.

Current Situation

• The police force still operates under a traditional British Raj mindset with regard to their loyalty and professional abilities.
• Additionally, since the police falls under state law, each state has its own laws. There is a lack of political and police relationship, and expenditure is only at 3%.

Police Accountability

• The police have the authority to enforce laws and maintain order, but this power can be abused.
• To prevent such misuse, many countries have implemented measures such as holding the police accountable to political leaders, having internal accountability to senior officers, and establishing independent oversight bodies.

Crime Investigation:

• Due to India's low police-to-population ratio compared to international standards, each officer is responsible for a large segment of the population. While the United Nations recommends 222 police officers per lakh population, India has only 181 sanctioned officers per lakh.
• With vacancies taken into account, the actual number is even lower, at 137 officers per lakh. This has resulted in a low conviction rate of 47% for crimes recorded under the Indian Penal Code in 2015, due to poor quality of investigations.

Poor Police Infrastructure:

• Police stations in India lack proper equipment, communication support, modern weapons, and mobility necessary for modern policing. The CAG has identified shortcomings in these areas, and innovation in weapons is needed.

Police-Public Relations:

• The police require the trust, cooperation, and support of the community to prevent crime and disorder. Building strong police-public relations is essential for effective policing.
• Crime Rate: Between 2005 and 2015, the crime rate in India increased by 28%. However, the conviction rate for crimes recorded under the Indian Penal Code was only 47% in 2015 due to poor investigation quality.

Background of SC's Prakash Singh judgment on police reforms

• In 1996, Prakash Singh, a retired DGP of UP Police and Assam Police, filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking police reforms.
• The Supreme Court passed a landmark judgment in September 2006 directing all states and Union Territories to bring in police reforms.

Urgency in implementing Police Reforms

• The rapid changes in society and technology, particularly with the internet and social media, are leading to new and intensified forms of crime, including global terrorism.
• As a result, there is an urgent need to strengthen both the Criminal Justice System and grassroots level policing institutions. Traditional and linear approaches to police reform may no longer be sufficient, as multiple causes and complex interdependencies are associated with today's policing issues.
• Therefore, broader, more collaborative, and innovative approaches are required to address these challenges through a range of coordinated and interrelated responses.

Way Forward

• The police force should prioritize being smart in their behavior, actions, and service delivery. External interference is a major issue and the police should be granted freedom to operate. The police force requires functional autonomy to uphold the rule of law and be service-oriented to citizens in an efficient, scientific, and dignified manner, as per the directions of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case.
• They should embody SMART policing, which encompasses being strict and sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsible, tech-savvy and trained. The police must receive the resources necessary to perform their mandated functions, and constables should receive proper training to build confidence and discipline.
• Evidence-based policing is gaining credibility and the Indian police force should be exposed to it. The Second ARC suggested that the government should classify certain crimes as "federal" and entrust their investigation to a central agency. 
• Police require operational freedom to perform their duties professionally and satisfactory working conditions while being held accountable for poor performance or abuse of power. What is necessary today is a "People's Police," and policymakers must recognize that our strength and influence abroad begin with the steps we take at home.