Police Organization in India

India’s police organization is made up of central and state police forces. The central government recruits the Indian Police Service (IPS), DANIPS, and Pondicherry Police Service. State governments recruit their own state police services. Read here to learn more.

The home minister of India recently reviewed the ongoing projects of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), including the rollout of the new criminal laws, as well as its future roadmap.

The review also directed the bureau to analyse the modus operandi of crimes and undertake research on the challenges faced in grassroots policing.

Read: Police Reforms in India

Police Organization in India

India’s police system operates under the federal structure, with distinct roles and responsibilities for the Union and State governments. The organization ensures law enforcement, crime prevention, and public safety.

Article 246 of the Constitution of India places the police, public order, courts, prisons, reformatories, borstal and other allied institutions in the State List.

Each State/Union Territory has its separate police force. Despite the diversity of police forces, there is a good deal that is common among them.

This is due to four main reasons:

• The structure and working of the State Police Forces are governed by the Police Act of 1861, which is applicable in most parts of the country, or by the State Police Acts modelled mostly on the 1861 legislation.
• Major criminal laws, like the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Evidence Act etc are uniformly applicable to almost all parts of the country.
• The Indian Police Service (IPS) is an All India Service, which is recruited, trained and managed by the Central Government and provides the bulk of senior officers to the State Police Forces.
• The quasi-federal character of the Indian polity, with specific provisions in the Constitution, allows a coordinating and counselling role for the Centre in police matters and even authorizes it to set up certain central police organisations.

Central Police Organizations (CPOs)

These organizations function under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and focus on maintaining internal security, combating terrorism, and enforcing specific laws.

The Central Government has established several Police organisations known as the Central Police Organisations (CPOs).

CPOs functioning under the Central Government can be broadly divided into two groups.

1. One is the armed Police organisations, known as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
2. The other group consists of organisations such as the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Directorate of Coordination of Police Wireless (DCPW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS).

In addition, there are Police Training institutions, such as the National Police Academy (NPA) and the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA).

• Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs):
  • Border Security Force (BSF): Protects India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): Handles internal security and counter-insurgency.
  • Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Secures the Indo-China border.
  • Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB): Guards borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
  • Assam Rifles: Operates in the Northeastern states for counter-insurgency.
• Central Investigation and Intelligence Agencies:
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Investigates complex crimes like corruption, financial fraud, and serious criminal cases.
  • Intelligence Bureau (IB): Collects domestic intelligence and counterintelligence.
  • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): Tackles economic offences, smuggling, and related crimes.
• Specialized Forces:
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA): Investigates terrorism-related offences.
  • National Security Guard (NSG): Focuses on counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.

State Police Organizations

Policing is primarily a state subject under the Indian Constitution (List II of the Seventh Schedule). Each state has its police force responsible for maintaining law and order.

The police organization in Indian states is primarily governed by the Police Act of 1861, which was based on the recommendations of the Police Commission of 1860.

Superintendence over the police force in the state is exercised by the State Government. The head of the police force in the state is the Director General of Police (DGP), who is responsible to the state government for the administration of the police force in the state and for advising the government on police matters.

• Hierarchy and Structure:
  • Director General of Police (DGP): Heads the state police force.
  • Inspector General (IG): Oversees zones comprising several districts.
  • Superintendent of Police (SP): Manages district-level operations.
  • Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO): Manages sub-divisions within districts.
  • Station House Officer (SHO): Leads a police station.
• Specialized State Units:
  • Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS).
  • Crime Investigation Departments (CID).
  • Special Task Forces (STF).

District Police

The district police function under the control of the District Superintendent of Police (SP), who ensures local law enforcement and crime prevention.

• Police Stations: Serve as the basic unit of policing.
• Beat System: Divides police station areas into smaller sections for patrolling.

Specialized Wings:

• Traffic Police: Regulates vehicular movement and road safety.
• Women Police Units: Focuses on crimes against women and children.
• Cybercrime Cells: Deals with internet-related offences.
• Economic Offenses Wing (EOW): Investigates financial fraud and white-collar crimes.

Reforms and Modernization

The Indian police system has faced criticism for inefficiency, corruption, and politicization. Several reforms and initiatives aim to address these challenges:

• Model Police Act, 2006: Suggested reforms for autonomy and accountability.
• Supreme Court Directives (2006): Mandated changes for police modernization, like setting up Police Complaints Authorities and ensuring fixed tenures for senior officers.
• Modernization of Police Forces (MPF) Scheme: Focused on upgrading infrastructure, equipment, and technology.
• Community Policing Initiatives: Programs like “Janamaithri” in Kerala and “Maithri” in Andhra Pradesh aim to foster trust between police and citizens.

Challenges

• Static Structure: The district police administration is criticized for its rigidity and inability to adapt to the evolving needs of society.
• Inadequate Recruitment: Lower-level recruits lack the qualifications and capabilities to meet community expectations.
• Over-Centralization: Decision-making is highly centralized, leaving little scope for autonomy or responsiveness at the local level.
• Multifunctional Burden: The police organization handles numerous functions without specialization, limiting efficiency and effectiveness.
• Resistance to Reform: The traditional setup has been resistant to innovation and adaptation to contemporary socio-political realities.
• Impact of Political and Social Changes: Post-independence political awareness and socio-cultural changes have further complicated the functioning of the police.
• Call for Decentralization: A decentralized, autonomous structure at state and district levels is essential to modernize the police machinery.
• Need for Overhaul: A comprehensive reorganization of the police hierarchy is long overdue, especially at the district level.
• Staff Shortages: India has a low police-to-population ratio compared to UN standards.
• Overburdened Force: Officers often perform administrative and non-policing tasks.
• Lack of Training: Insufficient training for handling cybercrime and advanced technologies.
• Political Interference: Undermines impartiality and operational efficiency.
• Public Trust: Incidents of police brutality and corruption erode trust.

Role of Technology

• Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS): Facilitates digital connectivity of police stations across India.
• Facial Recognition Systems (FRS): Assists in identifying criminals.
• Drone Surveillance: Used for monitoring large gatherings and remote areas.
• Forensic Labs: Aid in evidence collection and analysis.

Significance of Police Organization

1. Law and Order: Ensures societal stability and safety.
2. Internal Security: Handles terrorism, insurgency, and organized crime.
3. Judicial Process: Investigates and prosecutes crimes.
4. Community Engagement: Fosters public trust and cooperation.

Way forward

• Challenges in Police Administration: Over-centralization hampers quick decision-making and responsiveness to local issues. The absence of specialization prevents the efficient handling of complex and diverse challenges such as cybercrime, communal tensions, and public order.
• Socio-Political Realities: Increasing political awareness and social diversity demand a police force that is sensitive and adaptive to local dynamics.
• Structural and Functional Reforms: The introduction of autonomous flat structures can improve accountability and responsiveness. Better recruitment standards and continuous training can equip personnel to handle evolving societal needs.
• Importance of Innovation: Emphasizing technology, data-driven policing, and community engagement can make the police more effective.
• Decentralization as a Priority: Empowering district-level police administration with more autonomy can reduce the bureaucratic lag and align law enforcement with local needs.

Conclusion

The police organization in India continues to evolve, embracing modernization and reforms to meet the dynamic challenges of law enforcement.

The district police administration must undergo significant restructuring to become more dynamic, responsive, and efficient. A decentralized, specialized, and innovative approach is vital to address modern challenges and align with the socio-political landscape of contemporary India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the structure of the police organization?

Ans: District: Headed by a Senior Superintendent or a Superintendent of Police (SP). Area: Headed by a Superintendent of Police, generally having a lower grade pay than the district head if the district head is an SSP. Sub Division: A subdivision is headed by an officer of the rank of DSP or ASP.

Related articles:

• Various security forces and agencies and their mandate
• BHARATPOL Portal
• Modernization of Central Armed Police Forces
• Technology in Law Enforcement

-Article by Swathi Satish