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Police reforms have remained a mirage.Comment

Police Reforms Have Remained a Mirage – A Critical Commentary

India’s police system, inherited from colonial times, continues to function with structural
deficiencies, inefficiency, and accountability issues despite repeated calls for reform. Over
the years, various commissions, committees, and judicial interventions have emphasized the
need for transformation. However, these reforms largely remain unimplemented, making
police reforms a “mirage” that eludes realization.

Key Issues in Policing

Colonial Legacy:

● The Police Act of 1861, enacted during British rule, was designed to control and
suppress the population rather than serve as a public service institution. This ethos
continues to influence police behavior today.

Political Interference:

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● Police are often seen as an instrument of the ruling class, leading to misuse for
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political gains. This undermines the autonomy and accountability of the force.

Structural Deficiencies:
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● Vacancies: Over 20% of sanctioned posts remain unfilled in police departments
across states.
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● Poor Infrastructure: Lack of modern weapons, vehicles, and technology hampers

efficient functioning.

● Overburdening: On average, a police officer works for 14-16 hours a day, affecting
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their efficiency and decision-making abilities.

Lack of Accountability:

● Police often escape accountability for custodial deaths, extra-judicial killings, and
human rights violations, eroding public trust.

Ineffective Training:

● Training methods are outdated, focusing more on physical drills than on community
engagement, technology, and investigative techniques.

Corruption and Abuse of Power:

● A nexus between police and criminal elements persists, and petty corruption at lower
levels remains widespread.

Efforts at Police Reforms

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● Numerous attempts have been made to address these challenges, but

implementation remains sporadic:

1. National Police Commission (1977-81):

● Recommended reforms like insulating the police from political influence, creating a
separate law and order wing, and establishing police complaints authorities.
● Most recommendations were ignored or implemented inadequately.

2. Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006):

● The Supreme Court issued seven directives for police reforms, including:
● Establishing a State Security Commission to insulate police from political
interference.
● Fixed tenure for the Director General of Police (DGP).
● Separation of law and order duties from investigation functions.
● Setting up Police Complaints Authorities at the state and district levels.
● Despite being binding, compliance has been minimal. States have diluted these

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directives through legislation.
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3. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007):

● Proposed reforms focused on community policing, enhancing training, and

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modernizing infrastructure.

4. Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme (MPF):

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● This central government scheme aims to equip police with modern technology,
communication systems, and vehicles.
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● Implementation varies widely across states.

● Reasons for Lack of Implementation
● Resistance from State Governments:
● Policing is a state subject, and states are often unwilling to cede control or implement
reforms that reduce political influence.

Lack of Political Will:

● Politicians benefit from controlling the police, making reform a low priority.

Inadequate Funding:

● Police budgets remain constrained, leaving no scope for modernization or better

working conditions.

Cultural Resistance:

● Institutional inertia and reluctance within the police force to adopt changes hinder
reforms.

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Judicial Limitations:

● Despite judicial directives, courts lack enforcement mechanisms, leaving reforms

unimplemented.

Case Studies Highlighting the Need for Reform

Custodial Deaths and Torture:

● High-profile cases like the Sathankulam custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu (2020)
highlight police brutality and lack of accountability.

Failure in Maintaining Law and Order:

● During riots or mass protests, police have been accused of bias, as seen during the
2020 Delhi riots.

Investigative Failures:

●
and manpower.

Way Forward
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The poor conviction rate in criminal cases reflects inadequate investigative training
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● Insulating Police from Political Influence:
● Implementing the Supreme Court directives fully, especially the establishment of
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State Security Commissions and fixed tenures for senior officers.

Community Policing:
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● Programs like Janamaithri Suraksha in Kerala and the Delhi Police's Parivartan
project should be scaled up to build trust between police and citizens.

Focus on Training and Modernization:

● Modernize training modules with a focus on forensic science, cybercrime, and human
rights.
● Increase funding under the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme.

Enhancing Accountability:

● Independent Police Complaints Authorities must be established at state and district

levels to address grievances against police misconduct.

Technological Upgradation:

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● Adopting technology-driven solutions like Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and
Systems (CCTNS) for better investigation and coordination.

Improving Working Conditions:

● Filling vacancies, reducing workload, and providing adequate welfare measures for
police personnel.

Conclusion:

Police reforms in India have remained a mirage due to political reluctance, systemic inertia,
and inadequate implementation. Transforming the police force into a people-centric,
accountable, and efficient institution requires political will, societal pressure, and
administrative commitment. Without these efforts, the gap between the expectations of the
public and the actual performance of the police will only widen, perpetuating mistrust and
inefficiency.

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