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.
Photo by Sushanta Rokka
Quick Revision
PM Modi addressed the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police
Emphasized shifting police image from 'oppression' to 'protection'
Advocated for community-centric policing and technology use
Visual Insights
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
Exam Angles
Constitutional provisions related to law and order (State List)
Police Acts and their historical context (Police Act 1861)
Recommendations of various police reform committees and commissions
Supreme Court judgments on police reforms (Prakash Singh case)
Concepts of community policing, smart policing, and predictive policing
Challenges to internal security and the role of police
Impact of technology on law enforcement and surveillance
Issues of police accountability, human rights, and public trust
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Summary
Background
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.
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Practice Questions (MCQs)
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
Show Answer
Answer: 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
Show Answer
Answer: 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
Show Answer
Answer: 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.
Source Articles
Urgent need to transform public perception of police: PM Modi - The Hindu
Police reforms still largely only on paper - Frontline
Transforming police image - Frontline
The police’s perception of public safety and their own role is changing, but too slowly - The Hindu
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh police lowest among all States on perception of ‘sensitivity’, says survey - The Hindu