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1 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
3 min
Polity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceNEWS

PM Calls for Urgent Police Perception Shift, Emphasizes Community Policing

PM Modi stresses the need for police to be seen as protectors, not oppressors, advocating for community-centric approaches.

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PM Calls for Urgent Police Perception Shift, Emphasizes Community Policing

Photo by Sushanta Rokka

त्वरित संशोधन

1.

PM Modi addressed the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police

2.

Emphasized shifting police image from 'oppression' to 'protection'

3.

Advocated for community-centric policing and technology use

दृश्य सामग्री

PM's Vision for Police Reform: Shifting Perception from Oppression to Protection

This mind map illustrates the Prime Minister's call for a fundamental shift in public perception of the police, outlining the current image, the desired future image, and the key strategies emphasized to achieve this transformation.

PM's Call: Police Perception Shift

  • Current Perception: 'Oppression'
  • Desired Perception: 'Protection', 'Friend to Citizen'
  • Key Strategies for Shift
  • Expected Outcomes

परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Constitutional provisions related to law and order (State List)

2.

Police Acts and their historical context (Police Act 1861)

3.

Recommendations of various police reform committees and commissions

4.

Supreme Court judgments on police reforms (Prakash Singh case)

5.

Concepts of community policing, smart policing, and predictive policing

6.

Challenges to internal security and the role of police

7.

Impact of technology on law enforcement and surveillance

8.

Issues of police accountability, human rights, and public trust

विस्तृत सारांश देखें

सारांश

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the urgent need to change the public's perception of the police force, moving away from an image of "oppression" to one of "protection." Speaking at the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police, he emphasized that police should be seen as a friend to the common citizen. He called for a shift towards community-centric policing, leveraging technology, and focusing on intelligence-based operations to tackle crime and maintain law and order effectively. This push for reform aims to strengthen trust between the police and the public, which is crucial for effective governance and internal security.

पृष्ठभूमि

The Indian police force, a legacy of the colonial era (Police Act of 1861), has historically been viewed with suspicion and fear rather than as a protector of citizens. Post-independence, various commissions and committees (e.g., National Police Commission, Ribeiro Committee, Padmanabhaiah Committee, Soli Sorabjee Committee) have highlighted the need for comprehensive police reforms to make the force more accountable, efficient, and citizen-friendly.

The Supreme Court's landmark judgment in Prakash Singh vs. Union of India (2006) also laid down specific directives for police reforms, emphasizing insulation from political interference and strengthening internal accountability.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call for an urgent shift in police perception from 'oppression' to 'protection' at the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police underscores the continued relevance and urgency of police reforms. The emphasis on community policing, leveraging technology, and intelligence-based operations reflects a modern approach to law enforcement aimed at building public trust and enhancing operational effectiveness. This aligns with the 'SMART' policing initiative (Sensitive, Modern, Alert, Reliable, Tech-savvy, Trained) previously articulated by the Prime Minister.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the recent emphasis on police reforms in India: 1. The Prime Minister's call for a perception shift from 'oppression' to 'protection' was made at the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police. 2. Community policing primarily aims at strengthening intelligence gathering through citizen participation and fostering trust. 3. Leveraging technology in policing is solely focused on crime detection and investigation, with no significant role in crime prevention or public outreach. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 only
  • B.1 and 2 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct as per the news. The Prime Minister emphasized this shift at the specified conference. Statement 2 is correct. Community policing is fundamentally about building trust and partnership with the community, which inherently aids in intelligence gathering and problem-solving. Statement 3 is incorrect. Technology in policing plays a crucial role not just in detection and investigation but also in crime prevention (e.g., predictive policing, surveillance), public outreach (e-governance platforms), and improving transparency and accountability.

2. With reference to police reforms in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Police Act of 1861, a colonial legislation, continues to be the foundational legal framework for police administration in India. 2. The Supreme Court's judgment in Prakash Singh vs. Union of India (2006) mandated the establishment of a State Security Commission to insulate the police from political interference. 3. The National Police Commission (1977-81) recommended that 'Police' be moved from the State List to the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to ensure uniform policing standards across the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 only
  • B.1 and 2 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. The Police Act of 1861, enacted after the 1857 revolt, remains the primary legislation governing police forces in India, though many states have enacted their own police acts or amendments. Statement 2 is correct. The Prakash Singh judgment issued several directives, including the establishment of a State Security Commission, Police Establishment Board, and Police Complaints Authorities, among others, to ensure functional autonomy and accountability of the police. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the National Police Commission (NPC) made extensive recommendations for police reforms, it did not recommend moving 'Police' from the State List to the Concurrent List. This has been a debated topic, but not an NPC recommendation.

3. In the context of 'SMART Policing' as envisioned in India, which of the following characteristics is NOT explicitly included in its acronym? (S.M.A.R.T. stands for Sensitive, Modern, Alert, Reliable, Tech-savvy, Trained) A) Sensitive B) Accountable C) Modern D) Tech-savvy

  • A.Sensitive
  • B.Accountable
  • C.Modern
  • D.Tech-savvy
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

The acronym S.M.A.R.T. Policing stands for Sensitive, Modern, Alert, Reliable, Tech-savvy, Trained. While 'Accountable' is a crucial aspect of good policing and is implicitly promoted by SMART policing principles, it is not one of the explicit words in the acronym itself. The question asks what is NOT explicitly included in its acronym.

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