Context: While addressing the 60th All India Conference of Director Generals of Police in Raipur under the theme “Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions”, the Prime Minister emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive police reforms to strengthen internal security, democratic governance, and public trust.
Why Police Reforms Are Necessary
1. Political and Structural Inertia
India’s policing framework largely remains rooted in the colonial Police Act of 1861, prioritising control over service. Nearly ten States still operate under outdated laws. Despite the Supreme Court’s landmark Prakash Singh judgment (2006), which mandated institutional safeguards such as fixed tenure and independent oversight bodies, no State has fully implemented all directives. Political control over postings and transfers_toggle undermines professional autonomy, with surveys indicating that nearly three-fourths of police personnel face political pressure in sensitive cases.
2. Workforce and Capacity Crisis
India’s police force is overworked and under-trained. An average duty shift extends to nearly 14 hours, adversely affecting efficiency and mental health. Constables—constituting about 86% of the force—often retire with minimal career progression. Training remains outdated; over 60% of personnel have not received in-service training in the past five years, leaving forces ill-equipped to deal with cybercrime, forensic investigation, and rights-based policing.
3. Diversity Deficit and Erosion of Public Trust
Low representation of women (around 12%) and minorities in the police hierarchy weakens inclusivity and perceived neutrality. This deficit translates into trust erosion—surveys reveal that a significant proportion of citizens fear police excesses, discouraging crime reporting and community cooperation.
4. Human Rights and Infrastructure Challenges
Custodial violence persists due to the absence of a dedicated anti-torture law, despite India signing the UN Convention Against Torture in 1997. Infrastructure gaps further weaken policing capacity; several police stations still lack basic facilities like vehicles and communication equipment. Additionally, a substantial portion of Police Modernisation Funds remains unutilised annually.
Key Reform Recommendations
Multiple expert bodies have proposed solutions over the decades:
- National Police Commission: Insulate police from political interference through State Security Commissions and assured tenure.
- Ribeiro Commission: Establish Police Establishment Boards and repeal the 1861 Act.
- Padmanabhaiah Committee: Separate investigation from law-and-order and upgrade training systems.
- Malimath Committee: Reform criminal justice processes and strengthen victim rights.
- Model Police Act (2006): Introduce rights-based policing with accountability mechanisms.
- NHRC (2021): Mandate CCTV installation, shift burden of proof in custodial injuries, and enforce Supreme Court directives.
Conclusion
Police reform is not merely an administrative necessity but a democratic imperative. Implementing long-pending judicial directives, modernising training and infrastructure, ensuring diversity, and strengthening accountability mechanisms are essential for transforming India’s police from a force of control into a service of trust—central to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.