IN 1948, when the first batch of the Indian Police Service graduated, the nation welcomed it. It was a laudable idea to have a national police service with constitutional sanction.
I can proudly proclaim that one of the main reasons India has remained unified is efficient and vigilant policing. Proper policing requires the right training, an environment conducive to work, and answerability to the law. This can be achieved only if the country’s political masters truly desire a competent, responsible and energetic police force that can function without fear or favour.
For the last 40 years, the rulers have interfered with the police’s functioning, including even transfers and postings of sub-inspectors for personal gain. And the disastrous results are plain to see – poor functioning of the police. We cannot have a better force unless the political masters make the police responsible and answerable to the law and not to them. Once this happens, a large number of politicians may even be behind bars but there will be a phenomenal change in policing.
On Independence Day, Republic Day, or Diwali,
the policeman is on duty far from his village,
his family, his near and dear ones
Sadly, we are still governed today by the Police Act of 1861. The police force was established by the British rulers for two reasons – to prevent and detect crime, and to maintain law and order. The British were basically interested in revenue and fair administration. As these two objectives were realized smoothly, they did not bother to make any structural change in the police force.
Undoubtedly, the police’s character then was coercive and nobody could raise any voice against it. The British deliberately recruited local youth into the lower rank and file. But the colonial past lingers 60 years after Independence. The same Act and third-degree torture remain the hallmarks of the police in free India today.
In all these years, what we have missed out on is public faith in the police. This needs to be restored. We find tremendous growth in communications, IT, road infrastructure, space technology, and so on while the Indian police force lags far behind. Emerging challenges like social changes, growth in population and urban migration require the police to modernize to keep pace with them.
It is a truism to say that, given the constraints, the Indian police is a competent force and has done a great job. It’s an integral part of our society and needs a word of appreciation for the good work.
The sacrifices of police personnel go unnoticed by the public. Every year, we lose about 1,300 policemen in fighting terrorists and criminals. Even the military does not lose so many personnel in war. When the nation celebrates Independence Day, Republic Day, or Diwali and other festivals, the policeman is on duty far from his village, his family, his near and dear ones. We restore kidnapped children to their parents, risking our lives. We recover stolen goods and nab anti-national elements. Yes, it is our duty to perform these tasks but society should at least not denigrate us. We are one of you.
The police force would have been more people friendly and efficient, and borne a more human face if it had not been for the failure of its own leadership as well. Our jawans still live in subhuman conditions without basic sanitation, potable water, lights and fans. In remote areas, conditions are worse. These factors take a toll of performance.
As for corruption, it pervades every department and the police cannot be an exception. Though, that does not absolve us. In earlier days, the integrity of an IPS officer was rarely questioned. The deterioration started because the system failed to punish corrupt police officers and create a better working environment. Not many officers have been punished for involvement in corrupt practices.
I would say a society gets the police it deserves. If you want the police to serve society with efficiency and impartiality, improve recruitment, resources and make them accountable only to the law.
