Without reforms, the future of police force looks bleak

A group of dedicated retired IPS officers led by the indomitable Prakash Singh, a former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, observed a Police Reforms Day on September 22. Nothing gives many former policemen like me greater joy to see a measure of solidarity among policemen in pleading for upgrading the quality of police service in an ambience of freedom from political caprice and manipulation. What is heartwarming is that a few apolitical NGOs also took part in this unique programme and lent credibility to what is otherwise an unexceptionable movement. Speeches and pamphlets distributed on the occasion highlighted how the most forthright apex court direction in 2006 — on a PIL filed by Prakash Singh — mandating a few fundamental reforms has either been only partially implemented or has been diluted through toothless and insipid legislation by some states. Both the Supreme Court and the central government have been watching this helplessly. The Court cannot intervene once a law is in place to fill the earlier vacuum, and as long as such law cannot be questioned as violative of the Constitution. The Centre is equally at loss because ‘police and public order’ is a state subject under the Constitution. The indifference of state governments borders on insult to the highest court of the land, and the citizenry at large. We don’t know when enlightenment will dawn on the legislative class that a professional police force, which enjoys operational autonomy without being denuded of accountability, is the best bet for our democracy and political parties.

It is sad that police's image remains sordid even six decades after Independence. Inspite of its many achievements on the public order front, and its contribution to the integrity of the nation, very few in society are willing to trust it. Mindless violence on crime suspects within the secret confines of a police station and downright unabashed demand for bribes from motorists in full public view have contributed greatly to this unfortunate situation. 

Against this backdrop, observance of a Police Reforms Day will sound hollow and laughable. I am not for a moment suggesting that the police in many other countries are better behaved. It is poor consolation that the police in many other nations are worse behaved. We need to improve ourselves in order to transform Indian police forces into world class outfits, which the citizens trust, respect and admire. 

The task is as difficult as upgrading our economy. When we now hear right noises from New Delhi in respect of the economy, can law enforcement lag behind? Actually there is a symbiotic relationship between the two. A fearless and well-motivated police is the sine qua non for building foreign investor confidence.

I firmly believe that a strong and honest police leadership can make the difference. The number of honest and well meaning leaders in the police is fast declining. If a DGP cannot stand for ethics and professionalism, what can you expect of the poor constable who has no role model and who is still looked down upon as a menial with no support from his hierarchy or community? This is the basic question that remains unsolved for decades. It is not my case that a DGP should make an issue of every demand from the political class. It is only a supine and dishonest Police Chief who will claim that all hundred decisions taken by him each working day have political overtones. I would put down the percentage as just about five and not a jot more. When you have such a large area of independence, how can you crib about political interference? In sum, I see no future for the Indian Police unless the officer class reforms itself in terms of personal integrity and establishes a professional leadership with its political masters. Nothing will be served otherwise by celebrating a Reforms Day!

The writer is a former CBI director