POLICING IN INDIA

Introduction

Policing in India stands at a critical crossroads. Despite increasing security challenges and repeated calls for reform, systemic distortions persist. The annual Conference of Directors General of Police (DGPs) — India’s premier platform for internal security deliberations — continues to focus on operational matters while overlooking the structural reforms long identified by expert committees and the Supreme Court. As a result, the gap between promises and actual reform continues to widen.

Apex Conference: Focus on Operations, Neglect of Reform

The DGP Conference discusses an expansive agenda:

• Police modernisation and technology

• Forensics and cyber security

• Coastal and border security

• Counterterrorism, narcotics control, and left-wing extremism

While essential, these issues do not address the core challenges of Indian policing. For decades, the conference has avoided the deeper structural reforms needed to build an impartial and citizen-centric police system.

Unaddressed Structural Distortions

Despite strong recommendations from the National Police Commission, and mandates from the Prakash Singh (2006) Supreme Court judgment, fundamental reforms remain sidelined. Key missing elements include:

1. Political Neutrality and Autonomy

• Continued political interference in investigations and postings.

• Police leadership often used for partisan ends.

• Weak enforcement of fixed tenure and autonomy for top officers.

2. Citizen-Centric Policing

• Limited focus on service delivery and community engagement.

• Persistent fear of approaching the police among ordinary citizens.

3. Professionalism and Behavioural Change

• Lack of structured training on sensitivity, ethics, and communication.

• Frequent use of excessive force and continuing custodial violence.

4. Accountability and Oversight

• Weak internal accountability mechanisms.

• Non-functional or diluted State Security Commissions.

• Lack of independent oversight bodies as recommended by various committees.

The Real Crisis: Trust Deficit, Not Technology

India’s policing problem is not primarily technological. Rather, it reflects:

• Low accessibility of police to common citizens

• Political influence affecting investigations

• Poor working and living conditions for constables

• High workloads and insufficient manpower

• Weak transparency and grievance mechanisms

As long as these remain unaddressed, any addition of technology will be merely cosmetic.

SMART Policing: A Vision That Stalled

In 2014, the Prime Minister proposed the SMART Police model — Strict, Sensitive, Modern, Mobile, Alert, Accountable, Reliable, Responsive. The announcement generated optimism, but:

• No detailed roadmap or timelines were created.

• No monitoring mechanism was established.

• Successive conferences did not track progress.

• The idea remained largely symbolic, limited to posters and speeches.

This reflects a broader pattern: every year, ambitious themes are announced, but institutional follow-through is absent.

Public Perception and the Need for Transformation

At the 2025 DGP Conference, the Prime Minister again emphasised transforming the public image of the police. But the forum failed to examine why negative perceptions persist. A senior officer noted that genuine change requires:

• Acceptance of responsibility for mistrust

• Openness to criticism

• Courteous conduct and improved public dealings

• Ensuring dignity, welfare, and basic facilities for police personnel

A humane police must begin by being humane with its own workforce.

Towards Viksit Bharat 2047: Will Reform Finally Begin?

The vision of a future-ready police force for a developed India in 2047 is compelling. But the conference offered no blueprint for achieving it. While the Prime Minister articulates the vision, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and police leadership must deliver:

• Time-bound implementation of Supreme Court-mandated reforms

• Independent oversight and depoliticisation

• Citizen-centric service delivery

• Professional, ethical, and accountable policing culture

The unanswered question remains: will the vision for 2047 catalyse transformative change, or will it, too, fade without follow-up?

Mains Practice Questions

1. “Indian policing suffers more from structural distortions than technological deficits.” Discuss with reference to recent DGP conferences.

2. Examine the reasons behind the persistent failure to implement the Supreme Court-mandated police reforms (Prakash Singh, 2006).