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The recent 2 days 59th All India Conference of Director Generals of Police in Bhubaneshwar augurs very well for drawing a future roadmap of policing in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a SMART way of policing has once again brought forward the need for modernisation of Indian Police and Security Agencies which can help India move on the path of high-powered police technology with the most efficient and latest technologies. Recent challenges to the security of India bring to light an important fact that India needs to diversify its strategies to counter the challenges it faces lately from digital frauds, artificial Intelligence misuse and cyber crimes. Prime Minister emphasised the need to come together and closely cooperate in fighting the latest threats by developing strategies for the establishment of an extremely capable intelligence system to ensure such threats can be encountered at early stages.
SMART POLICING appears to be the only solution for protection against the multiple threats from diverse and very intense new waves of terror, cyber criminals, drug traffickers, economic offenders, smugglers, criminals, naxals, arms dealers and insurgents. It would provide a platform for multi-layered security cooperation that would deal with various issues related to terrorism — right from the funding of terrorist activities, policing cooperation, dealing with cyber threats, secrecy through enhancing technological innovations and tightening the border to maritime security information-gathering exercise.
Cooperation and coordination in communication capabilities and management of security arrangements to deal with any kind of threat are the main objectives of his call. Besides, a modernisation of the Police is also imperative given the possible threats from religiously motivated bands of distraught minds. The Prime Minister has called for a smart way of policing and usage of interoperable and transferable technologies such as drones that would open a new gateway to meet complex security challenges. Over the years a great deal of literature has appeared on India’s police and the need for reforms. Policies are being made to enable the force to adapt to the challenging environment and efficiently implement recommendations suggested by the panels on reforms. As the threats today are more severe and enemies more organised than ever before, new concepts of safety and security need to be followed. Whereas globalisation has provided a concept of a global village deeply interwoven in a comprehensive view of society, market, freedom, choice, empowerment, peace, opportunities, linkages and politics, its impact has created a socio-political quagmire, particularly in developing societies. In this context, there is a growing global consensus on addressing critical issues in policing by focusing on the following key areas:
Bridging Theory and Practice: Linking traditional policing theories to the evolving challenges faced by law enforcement today.
Analyzing Pressures: Developing fresh insights into the various areas of concern and the mounting pressures on police forces.
Role of Police in Market Dynamics: Defining the role of police in navigating market forces while maintaining impartiality and fairness.
Implementing Reforms: Demonstrating how the reform models proposed by various commissions can be effectively applied in real-world scenarios, in alignment with democratic principles, environmental considerations, globalization, and governance.
Driving Change: Exploring innovative policing methods to foster change and build public trust and confidence.
Global Knowledge Integration: Leveraging the latest global research and advancements in the field of policing to modernise and upgrade law enforcement practices.
Police being a State subject under Article 246, at times the force becomes a matter of battle of wits. Apart from undertaking counter-terrorist operations, police also have to play a crucial role as protector of the day-to-day law and order.
This has increased pressure on them to get quick results. Besides, the prevailing level of dissatisfaction among the subordinate level, police officers have adversely affected the attitude of police towards problems. Police are often asked to fight a low-cost war where the enemy is their countrymen. Calling the police to put down civil disturbances is a tedious job. Many scientific methods and modern changes have been introduced in policing in India ever since the police commission report was drafted many years ago. Police are an extremely vital source of security for the community.
But this alone will not benefit unless people are sensitised about the achievements of positive policing. Some experts on policing are of the view that the values, attitudes, methods, aspirations commitment, etc, of these services need overhauling. Some are of the view that the quality and efficiency of the security forces largely depend on their service conditions, cooperation, training, practice, level of interaction with the general masses and strict methods of appointment. It is, therefore, in the interest of the Government to recruit and attract personnel of high integrity and great calibre.
For successful training of personnel of paramilitary and police forces, certain parameters of pre-recruitment education, experience, proportion of insiders and outsiders, methods of recruitment, postings, and length of service must be reviewed. There is also a need for more productive relationships among paramilitary forces, Intelligence agencies, local police, the Army, and the local population.
The Government has made all efforts towards sensitisation of police by inculcating a humane approach in policing and introducing the study of human rights legislation in training. Certain suggestions can go a long way in driving better results for policing: (a) There should be initiative in implementing development plans in consultation with experts from various other branches; (b) Development of capability to anticipate foreboding and security needs; (c) This is possible by conducting specialised courses for monitoring security situations. Globalisation and its negative implications are putting forward a challenging environment for policing.
Therefore, the police need to diversify its activities by bringing together technical and professional expertise based on many decades of experience in maintaining internal security. It is high time we realised that police alone cannot stop the crime, the entire society should make substantial efforts towards ensuring the safety and security of fellow citizens.
The police also need to play an important role as crime preventers and in this regard, developing qualities such as a high level of diligence, intelligence, dedication, determination and the ability to grasp complex situations is a must. It is high time we realised that the police alone cannot stop crime; the entire society should make substantial efforts towards it. The SMART Police and modernised ways of policing hold the key to the future of the security and safety of every individual.
(The writer is recipient of the Bharat Gaurav Award, Professor, Head of Department and Expert on Strategic Affairs; views are personal)
