Posted October 14, 2014 | by admin

Police Reforms

After the Mutiny of 1857, the British decided to revamp the Police Force. In the Police Act of 1861, the British Government vested most powers with the Executive to control the Police in a manner that the police were formed to protect the Government, and not the people. What is worrisome is that this Act is still in place, despite progressive legislations.

The need for Police Reforms was recognized early on. Way back in 1979, the National Police Commission (NPC) was set up to report on policing and give recommendations for reform. However, it was only in 2006, with the case of Prakash Singh vs. Union of India & Ors., that seven directives were issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. These directives dealt with setting up of a State Security Commission, the appointment of DGPs, and setting up of Police Complaints Authorities. The scheme puts in place mechanisms to ensure that the police have a functional responsibility, has internal management systems that are fair and transparent, and has increased efficiency in their core functions.

At Foundations of Restoration of National Values, we have fought for Police Reforms right from our inception. We have held various workshops and meetings with concerned authorities to discuss the issue of Police Reforms from time to time.

In 2010, the Kerala Chapter of FRNV actively made suggestions and recommendations on the Kerala Police Bill 2010 and appraised the Ministers in this regard. Efforts made by FRNV were appreciated and we were assured that our recommendations would be considered while finalising the Act.

In the same year, a delegation of FRNV, CHRI, and Common Cause met Sri Gopal K Pillai, the then Union Home Secretary, Government of India, and submitted a draft of the new Police Bill 2010 for Delhi (titled ‘The Delhi Police Bill 2010’). This draft was prepared jointly by these three organisations. The suggestions included transparent procedures for recruitment, promotion, disciplinary action and grievance redressal. The relentless effort of the three in pressing for a new police law for Delhi bore fruit and the Ministry of Home Affairs put up a Draft Bill for Delhi reflecting some of the propositions contained in the draft.

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FRNV is keen to equip itself to push for better policing practices. Therefore, FRNV has undertaken the initiative to generate awareness on Police Complaint Authorities (PCA). We are looking forward to filing RTIs in all states and Union Territories. We will also contact concerned authorities and request them to fill the gaps arising due to a dearth of relevant information on PCA. We want to ensure that PCAs are formed where needed and are in effective operation where they already exist.

Our approach has been to understand the problems and do a root cause analysis of problems pertaining in the aforementioned areas. In our latest programme, we have tried conversing with people from different walks of life, like leaders, retired police personnel’s, lawyers, reporters, businessmen, and academic groups, to understand their viewpoint on Police Reforms.

FRNV strives to restore our time-tested National and Cultural Values. We believe in motivating people to find an abiding inner persuasion to be truthful, ethical, patriotic and committed to the wholesome development of the Nation.

If you have any suggestions regarding Police Reforms, or merely want to show your support, kindly contact us at frnv@outlook.com.