Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
Police is the first body whom we approach in case any crime or wrong is done against us. Police is the function of that branch of the administrative machinery of government which is charged with the preservation of public order and tranquility, the promotion of the public health, safety, and morals, and the prevention, detection, and punishment of crime. Police represent the civil authority of the government. Police typically are responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. These functions are known as policing. The police in India have been under criticism from various sections of the society. As we know it today, the police were a creature of English society in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. No other words to define police than American lawyer, politician and two times President Cleveland’s words that ‘Police officers are the servants and agents of the people to execute laws which people have made’. All societies need some means whereby order is maintained. The police are now no more just a body of people organized to maintain civil order and to investigate breaches of law. Besides crime investigation and prosecution, there is a remarkable historical, geographical and organizational diversity in the activities of policemen. The Police’s function is thus universal in society. The purpose of police in a free society is to promote public safety and uphold the rule of law so that individual liberty may flourish. As part of law enforcement, police have four major responsibilities: enforcing laws, preventing crimes, responding to emergencies, and providing support services. In order to carry out these functions, the police have certain powers, namely the power to arrest and detain and the power to use force. It is precisely this monopoly on the use of force and the power to arrest and detain that place the police in a unique and sensitive position within the democratic set up, so that adequate control mechanisms are required to ensure that these powers are consistently used in the public interest. As a police officer, one has to work in challenging situations on a daily basis. We find that in reality certain meaningful features are associated with police work that are largely’ independent of the objectives. Police work tends to have divisive effects in society. It is to be ensured that police are committed to their role as protectors and men entering the force are joining with the right reasons. Department should look for ethical people who want to make their communities safer places to live. The aspirants joining the police department should realize that being a police officer can be treacherous. They often do not know how their day looks. They have to see really bad and sad things during their career. Spontaneous burden can be tremendous. They have to make laborious decisions.
When we turn to public opinion about police, I remember the meeting of senior police officers with school children in Ludhiana (Punjab) during the month of January 1995, under the programme of ‘catch them young’ to refurbish police image and create a close understanding with the public, Among the questions asked were: why are the police officials corrupt? Why do the police stations not record First Information Reports (FIRs) promptly? Why do the police close their eyes to the crimes of sons and daughters of VIPs? Further, the police arrest only those offenders who are poor and powerless. The rich and the influential manipulate to remain free. In addition, a large number of crimes fail to result in the apprehension of the law-violators largely because of the obstacles to police work caused by influential politicians and bureaucrats. Why do they nab ordinary citizens for the smallest failings? These questions not only made the officers realize that it was much easier to extort a confession than to answer straight questions, but also the fact that even small children had such a bad impression of the police and harboured many prejudices against them. Every law enforcement agency shall be representative of and responsive and accountable to the community as a whole, all police officials are part of, and have a duty to serve, the community. How much the police have achieved to improve its image is a matter of serious concern. To improve the police image, social services provision has now become a key part of policing, operating alongside service to victims of crimes and the enforcement of the law against offenders. As part of community policing, police departments now use information and communication technology to network with community members or to provide quick links to community services. At the same time Law enforcement officials must apply standards for human rights while enforcing law and maintaining order. Any action taken and any limitations on rights shall be only those consistent with the requirements of a democratic society. Law enforcement institutions are entrusted with a diverse set of tasks requiring a high degree of integrity within police agencies and their oversight. Where this does not function well, law enforcement officers may become vulnerable to acting unlawfully and outside their remit. Basically the policies and strategies of the police agency should be based on respect for democratic government but practically police top bosses incline to politicians for safe sailing.
In conclusion, I will say that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
(The author is a retired Senior Superintendent of Police).