You
cannot imagine reforming the system without reforming the police force of the
country. When corruption is so rampant in every spear of life in our society, the
police force should have stood as a pillar of trust. Instead, they find
themselves in endless and sometimes mindless controversies and many times
judged inefficient.
Not a single day pass, when we not hear news of unprecedented violence, crimes against women and children, conspiracies etc. throughout the country. What’s left for the police force after this mayhem, is a lot of unexpected criticism from everyone in the society.
There are numerous factors responsible for not allowing the police to function properly and efficiently in our country. Here I have listed few factors and possible remedies.
Politicization of the Police Force
We should have always regarded the police force as the most trusted agency in the country. They are responsible for maintaining the law and order in the society. However, since independence, the politicians of this country have misused the police force and have become a political tool, sometimes used to settle scores on each other. That’s sad.
It’s high time that the police force be given a free hand to deal with situations and should be pulled out of the clutches of the politicians. It is however not possible without a political will. There must be system enforced to keep the political influence away from police force.
Police to People Ratio
The ratio between the police personal and the country’s population is a matter a concern. According to the ncrb (National Crime Records Bureau) reports, in the year 2012 there were 138 police personal for every 100,000 (1 Lakh) people or population in the country. These astonishing figures give us an idea about how the force, with so little work force manages such a huge population. Please remember, the density of the population differs in many places.
However, these figures are different for VIPs and VVIPs in this country. Over 47,000 police personals are deployed all over the country to protect the VVIPs and VIPs. It’s a fact. Not to mention that the officers and junior police personals deployed for these special people are often well trained and equipped than the personals protecting ordinary citizens.
There is an immediate need to recruit more personals in the police force that will strengthen the force and its ability to deal with situations, which are serious in many parts of the country. This will give the much-needed rest to the sometimes-overworked personals, who would stand guard for more than 16 hours a day. Often deprived of leaves and an opportunity to spend some quality time with their families, they remain on duty and on toe, especially on public holidays, festivals, strikes and political disturbances.
Modernization of the Police Force
The urban cops have more challenges in their hands today than before. How can we forget the events that took place in Mumbai in the year 2008? This event shook the entire nation. They outsmart the Mumbai police in every department, be weapons, surveillance equipment or coordination. This episode demanded immediate modernization of the police force. The government must provide the latest gadgets, weaponry and communication equipment to the police forces to deal with such situations in the future.
Not just urban, cops in the remote areas too are facing challenges of unprecedented magnitude, often taking severe hits on their moral. If only they were equipped with modern surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment, they can prevent high casualties and deal with situations far better.
Proper Selection and Training of Police Personals
This is an important piece in reforming the police force (and the society), which will ensure that the guardians we rely upon are well-trained professionals. Proper recruitment and selection procedures must be implemented, to ensure that deserving educated candidates are selected without using back end channels and given a fair chance to serve the nation, society and its people. As it is they on whose shoulders lays the responsibility of restoring the peace and discipline in the society.
To convert ordinary men and women to an uncompromising and highly disciplined protector, they must get proper training, along with a decent paycheck and some good facilities. The government must often reward them for their leadership qualities, dedication to job and innovative ways to tackle situations. Yes, they can be innovative, all we need is a good bunch of personals recruited and trained at par with soldiers of this country.
Conclusion
Their contribution in keeping and restoring law and order situations in our country, are not often discussed in length by the media or the people, however I still believe, their presence around us ensures that we get a good night sleep. I hope in the coming years, we get to see a more professional police force and personals who would bring glory to their names and department and would help reform our system.
Kanai Lal Banik (Retd.)
Not a single day pass, when we not hear news of unprecedented violence, crimes against women and children, conspiracies etc. throughout the country. What’s left for the police force after this mayhem, is a lot of unexpected criticism from everyone in the society.
There are numerous factors responsible for not allowing the police to function properly and efficiently in our country. Here I have listed few factors and possible remedies.
Politicization of the Police Force
We should have always regarded the police force as the most trusted agency in the country. They are responsible for maintaining the law and order in the society. However, since independence, the politicians of this country have misused the police force and have become a political tool, sometimes used to settle scores on each other. That’s sad.
It’s high time that the police force be given a free hand to deal with situations and should be pulled out of the clutches of the politicians. It is however not possible without a political will. There must be system enforced to keep the political influence away from police force.
Police to People Ratio
The ratio between the police personal and the country’s population is a matter a concern. According to the ncrb (National Crime Records Bureau) reports, in the year 2012 there were 138 police personal for every 100,000 (1 Lakh) people or population in the country. These astonishing figures give us an idea about how the force, with so little work force manages such a huge population. Please remember, the density of the population differs in many places.
However, these figures are different for VIPs and VVIPs in this country. Over 47,000 police personals are deployed all over the country to protect the VVIPs and VIPs. It’s a fact. Not to mention that the officers and junior police personals deployed for these special people are often well trained and equipped than the personals protecting ordinary citizens.
There is an immediate need to recruit more personals in the police force that will strengthen the force and its ability to deal with situations, which are serious in many parts of the country. This will give the much-needed rest to the sometimes-overworked personals, who would stand guard for more than 16 hours a day. Often deprived of leaves and an opportunity to spend some quality time with their families, they remain on duty and on toe, especially on public holidays, festivals, strikes and political disturbances.
Modernization of the Police Force
The urban cops have more challenges in their hands today than before. How can we forget the events that took place in Mumbai in the year 2008? This event shook the entire nation. They outsmart the Mumbai police in every department, be weapons, surveillance equipment or coordination. This episode demanded immediate modernization of the police force. The government must provide the latest gadgets, weaponry and communication equipment to the police forces to deal with such situations in the future.
Not just urban, cops in the remote areas too are facing challenges of unprecedented magnitude, often taking severe hits on their moral. If only they were equipped with modern surveillance and intelligence gathering equipment, they can prevent high casualties and deal with situations far better.
Proper Selection and Training of Police Personals
This is an important piece in reforming the police force (and the society), which will ensure that the guardians we rely upon are well-trained professionals. Proper recruitment and selection procedures must be implemented, to ensure that deserving educated candidates are selected without using back end channels and given a fair chance to serve the nation, society and its people. As it is they on whose shoulders lays the responsibility of restoring the peace and discipline in the society.
To convert ordinary men and women to an uncompromising and highly disciplined protector, they must get proper training, along with a decent paycheck and some good facilities. The government must often reward them for their leadership qualities, dedication to job and innovative ways to tackle situations. Yes, they can be innovative, all we need is a good bunch of personals recruited and trained at par with soldiers of this country.
Conclusion
Their contribution in keeping and restoring law and order situations in our country, are not often discussed in length by the media or the people, however I still believe, their presence around us ensures that we get a good night sleep. I hope in the coming years, we get to see a more professional police force and personals who would bring glory to their names and department and would help reform our system.
- The points that I have mentioned in this article, are my personal opinion.
Thank you.
Indian Navy
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