Chapter Three: Indian Police: An Overview
CHAPTER THREE INDIAN POLICE: AN OVERVIEW
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Like many other countries, Police Force in India plays vital role of maintaining law and order situation at all levels starting from the Central, State, Range, District and
Sub-District level in rural as well as urban areas. Because of such a significant role,
Police force is considered as the strong arm of the State. Increasing population is mainly responsible for many other problems which pose threat to the safety and security of the country. Further the problem gets aggravated by industrialization, urbanization and rising political consciousness. Long pending ancestral issues, violence caused by political, caste and communal issues, even unrest on the part of students and labor may be responsible for disturbing peace and harmony of the society.
The present unit tries to take a look at the police organization in all its levels, while throwing light on very sensitive issues disturbing the administration of the police.
Any society becomes safe and ideal if the police are easily approachable. People should be able to interact with them with ease; hence it is called as the dynamic organization of any society. The police perform various kinds of role. Though these roles appear to be simple, they have their own challenges and complexities.
Apparently, the police are mainly responsible for the maintenance of law and maintenance of order. Getting the insights of the police duties, one notices numerous ramifications, resulting in making a large inventory of duties, powers, roles and responsibilities of the police organization.
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As per the Police Act of 1861, the present Indian police system is created. This act enables the Executive Government to be the decision making authority, whereas the employees are treated as subordinates. Subsequently, with the passing of time, many changes and modification were introduced in the layout and implementation of the system of the police. In spite of this, the police act of 1861 is still followed in terms of structure and characteristics. At the time of independence of India in 1947, the police force had already established the best working practices. Therefore, post independent time looked at the police force as a capable unit to take India in a new area, with new challenges, while giving guarantee of safety and security.
3.2 ROLE, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE POLICE
As per (n) Sec (57), Model Police Act 2006, the roles and functions of the police force in general are as follows: a) To give protection and give justice with the help of law in a fair manner, without
doing any favour. At the same time, to be careful about liberty, property, human
rights, and dignity of the general public. b) To work for the promotion of public order, ensuring to preserve it. c) To advocate and boost the internal security, to keep an eye on the sensitive issues
and prevent and control terrorist activities. Likewise, any activity threatening the
breaking of communal peace and harmony should be addressed immediately. Any
kind of activity affecting internal security should be dealt with urgently. d) To take care of and protect public properties including roads, railways, bridges,
vital installations and establishments etc. against acts of vandalism, violence or
any kind of attack from internal or external sources.
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e) To keep an eye on criminal activities and try to control crimes. Paying attention to
reducing possible outcome of crime by using corrective measures. In doing so,
extending support and cooperation to the other relevant agencies in implementing
due measures for prevention of crimes. f) To be precise and maintain accuracy in recording all complaints brought to them
by a complainant or his representative. These complaints may be registered in
person or received by post, e-mail or other means. After registering, taking
immediate action to resolve it and if necessary, take regular follow-up of the
same. g) To take a note of all cognizable offences and register them, and investigate it
through proper action of complaints or otherwise, duly supplying a copy of the
First Information Report to the complainant, and where appropriate, to apprehend
offenders, and extend requisite assistance in the prosecution of offenders; h) To ensure the feeling of safety and security in the society, try the level best create
and maintain a feeling of security in the community, and as far as possible prevent
conflicts and promote unity and brotherhood. i) At the time any disaster in the form of natural or man-made calamity, it is the duty
of police to be attentive and ready for action. At the same time, all possible help
should be extended to other agencies in relief and rehabilitation programs. j) To help out any individual who calls for help, possibly in any danger due to
physical harm or property matter. Also to reach out the needy people caught in
any distressful situation. k) Along with the people it is the duty of the police to help in smooth functioning of
the traffic in any form on roads and highways.
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l) To gather information about intelligence in the matter of public interest in peace,
and all kind of crimes including social offences, communalism, extremism,
terrorism and other matters relating to national security, and disseminate the same
to all concerned agencies, besides acting, as appropriate on it themselves. m) Being a police officer to take charge of the situation in terms of crisis of all
unclaimed property and take action for their safe custody and disposal in
accordance with the procedure prescribed. n) To give training, inspiration and ensure welfare of police personnel.
3.3 SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POLICE
As per sec. (58) Model Police Act 2006, every police officer shall: a) Behave modestly, politely and courteously with the people from the society, they
should maintain decorum in speaking. Special care should be taken at the time of
talking to children, women and even senior citizens. b) Give direction to the needy people at the time of difficult situation and help them.
Priority should always be given to senior citizen, women, children, the poor and
indigent and the physically or mentally challenged. c) Persons in a pathetic condition, at public places or at any other places and should
be protected. d) In case of victims in criminal cases, accidents, people caught in a serious life
threatening condition, immediate help should be provided. Medical help should be
given in an urgent basis to the needy. Legal claims and other formalities should be
given on urgent way.
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e) At the time of critical needs, especially during conflict between communities,
classes, castes and political groups, the conduct of the police is always governed
by the principles of impartiality and human rights norms, with special attention to
protection of weaker sections including minorities. f) In public places, creating such a surrounding in which harassment of women and
children should be avoided and public transport, including stalking, making
objectionable gestures, signs, remarks or harassment caused in any way. g) Apart from the above necessary duties, providing all necessary help to the
members of the public, particularly women, children, and the poor and indigent
persons, against criminal exploitation by any person or organized group; and h) Arrange for legally permissible sustenance and shelter to every person in custody
and making known to all such people‘s provisions of legal aid schemes available
from the Government and also inform the authorities concerned in this regard. i) Maintain, sustain and preserve, promote and protect human rights and interests of
weaker sections, backward classes, poor, weak and the downtrodden. At the same
time, as and when necessary, provide the help to all and sundry.
3.4 MAHARASHTRA POLICE: AT A GLANCE
Maharashtra Police acts as an agency in the state of Maharashtra to look after law and order situation of the state. Director General of Police is the chief of this organization and it has headquarters in the capital of Maharashtra, in Mumbai.
As the size of Maharashtra is one of the largest in the country with 35 districts, there are 35 police units in every district of the state. It makes the police unit one of the
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largest police departments in the country. As of now, it has around 1.95 lakh employees with sizable number of women i. e. 1.5 lakh women in its force.
Along with 302 Indian Police Service officers borne on the State Cadre, there are 282
Superintendents of Police, 523 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 3522 Inspectors,
3123 Assistant Police Inspectors, and 6230 Sub Inspectors.
Being an industrialized state with significant urbanization, there are urban conglomerates and it has adopted Commissionaire system for policing its large cities.
As of now, there are 10 Commissionaires and 35 district police units. More information in a detailed way is readily available in Maharashtra Police Department, with sub heading "Districts & Commissionaires and "Special Units of MPD" on the menu bar of the home page.
Maharashtra Police keeps functioning effectively with the motto . It means that Maharashtra Police is committed to
‘Protect the Righteous and Control & Annihilate the Evil’.
3.4.1 SPECIAL UNITS
Maharashtra Police has the following special units:
State Intelligence Department (SID): It was formed in 1905 with the name
‘Criminal Investigation Department’ (Intelligence Wing), however, it was
renamed State Intelligence Department, its current name in 1981.
Commissioner of Intelligence acts the head of this department.
Maharashtra State CID: It has head quarter in Pune and was established in
1905 as Crime Branch. Additional Director General Police is the head of this
department.
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Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS): It was one of the proud creations of the
Government of Maharashtra in 2004. Its main objective is to counter terrorism
and works in coordination with Central Agencies such as Intelligence Bureau
and RAW.
Highway Traffic Police: This branch was created in 1993.
State Reserve Police Force (SRPF): As a Special Armed Police Force of the
State of Maharashtra, it was created on 6 March 1948.
Training Directorate
Protection of Civil Rights Cell
Motor Transport Unit: This was established in 1948 to cater to the needs of
mobility of Maharashtra Police.
State Police Wireless: Established before 1947
Anti-Corruption Bureau: The ACB was constituted in 1957 with a view to
eradicate the bribery and corruption in the state.
Force One: Force One is an elite commando force, which is a specialized
counter terrorism unit to guard the Mumbai metropolitan area, one of the
largest metropolitan areas in the world.
QRT : Quick Response Team
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Figure 3.1: Rank Structure in a State Police Force
3.5 PUNE POLICE AT A GLANCE:
Maharashtra Police works on the motto of protection of good people, elements while giving appropriate punishment to the bad elements. They proudly say that our religion is "Remaining Alert Is Our Religion, Making Others Aware Is Our Mission". In fact it has become the 'Mission Statement' of Pune Police. For the facilitation of work and smooth functioning of operations, the Pune Police Commissionaire is divided into 33
Police stations, 4 Zones that comprise seven to ten Police Stations each & two
Regions. Each Police Station is led by a Senior Police Inspector, each Zone by a
Deputy Commissioner of Police, while each region is headed by an Additional
Commissioner of Police.
Commissioner of Police acts as the head of Pune Police. Further, the responsibility is governed by one Joint Commissioner of Police, four Additional Commissioners of
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Police, eleven Deputy Commissioner of Police, 24 Assistant Commissioners, 117
Police Inspectors, 504 Assistant Police Inspectors / Police Sub Inspectors, 7462 Police personnel. Needless to say that PUNE POLICE is committed to protecting righteous, controlling and annihilating the evil.
Khadak, Faraskhana, Deccan,Kothrud, Warje Zone I Malwadi, Vishrambaug, Shivaji Nagar Police stations. South Swargate, Dattawadi, Sahakarnagar, Bharti vidyapeeth, Region Zone II Lashkar, Bundgarden, Samarth, Koregaonpark,
Marketyard, Bibwewadi Police Stations.
Chaturshrungi, Sangavi, Hinjewadi, Pimpri, Nigadi, Zone III North Chinchwad, Bhosari, MIDC Bhosari Police Stations.
Region Khadaki, Vishrantwadi, Yerawada, Vimantal, Wanawadi, Zone IV Hadapsar, Mundhawa, Kondhwa Police Stations.
Figure 3.2 : Pune Jurdictions
The jurisdiction of Pune City Police consists of thirty three police stations. There are two regions in which they are divided, i.e South Region & North Region. Further, they are divided in four zones: Zone-I & II in South Region and Zone III & IV in
North Region. There are nine divisions i.e- City,Vishrambaug & Deccan Div. in
Zone-I, Swargate & Lashkar Div. in Zone-II, Chturshringi & Pimpri Div. in Zone-III, and Khadki & Wanawadi Div. in Zone-IV. In this way the jurisdiction of Pune
Commissionaire is spread in 790 sq. kms.
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3.6 PUNE POLICE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Commissioner of Police
Joint Commissioner of Police DCP Zone I ACP City, ACP Vishrambaug ACP Deccan Division Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) DCP Zone II ACP Lashkar Div ACP SwargateDivision
DCP Zone III ACP Chatushrungi Div ACP Pimpri Division Additional Commissioner of Police (North Region) DCP Zone IV ACP Khadki Div ACP Wanawadi Division
DCP Crime ACP Crime I ACP Crime II Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) DCP EOW and Cyber ACP EOW and Cyber
DCP Head Quarter I ACP Admin ACP Establishment DCP Head Quarter II ACP Wireless, ACP HR ACP MT/ RPI
Additional Commissioner of DCP Special Branch I Police (Admin) ACP Special Branch I ACP Operation
DCP Special Branch II (FRO) ACP S.B. II (FRO) ACP Immigration
DCP Traffic Branch ACP Chatushrungi Div ACP Pimpri Division Figure 3.3 : Pune Police Organization Structure 87
Chapter Three: Indian Police: An Overview
3.7 SUMMARY FROM A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS OF POLICE
As we have discussed in earlier chapter, the occupational stress is responsible for an increased negative outcomes for the police officers and the organization. Because of this, general well being of employees gets affected; eventually, it leads to non satisfaction of job related activities. Indirectly, it lowers the commitment and dedication level of employees for the organization. These symptoms indicate the presence of occupational stress amongst officers. Stress always affect in negative way to the people, society and organizations. High levels of stress directly create negative effect on employee physical and mental health. It, then, reduces the level of performance of officers. Many researchers have evaluated this relationship between occupational stress and health of officers. Rather than physical influence, stress creates more mental pressure, which leads to physical deterioration. To overcome this situation, measures should be taken from the side of the organization. These efforts should include regular training programs, counseling sessions for officers as well as the family. At the same time, appreciation can be given to police personnel by providing good compensation and rewards policy while being transparent with the officers. (Poonam, (2014), pp-144-148). Observations from intensive literature review are as follows:
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Sources of Job Symptoms of Sever Signs of Stress in the High Risk in Stress Stress in Police Work Place police due to stress Work Overload Poor job performance Increasing lateness High blood pressure Staff Shortages Suicidal thoughts or Going home early Heart problems plans Job/Task Conflicts Crying Excessive Working hoursInsomnia Lack of Consultation Depression Absenteeism Suicide Organizational loss of interest in social Withdrawal from Post-traumatic Structures activities social contacts stress disorder Boring Short temper Frequent mistakes Depression Administration Organizational Excessive indigestion or Forgetting appointments Infection caused by Climate heartburn or deadlines immune dysfunction Non-Grant of Substance abuse Long lunch breaks Anxiety disorders Leaves Insufficient Changes in weight Increased smoking Panic attacks Resources Long Hours Marital problems Inability to manage time Handling Communal Sleeping too much or Frequent accidents Riots too little Neglected Family Loss of sexual drive Conflict with Life colleagues Political Pressure Nightmares Violent arrest Isolation
Table 3.1: Summary of Occupational Stress Sources, Symptoms and Coping Strategy
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