The State Government has started the process to formulate a new Odisha Police Act, repealing the Police Act -1981 framed by the Britishers about 152 years ago.
The draft bill is in the final stage of formulation and is likely to be introduced in the ensuing Monsoon Session of the State Assembly after the Cabinet nod, said Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik here.
According to official sources, the proposed act envisages reorganisations of the police system and making the police more efficient for prevention and detection of crime, speedy investigation and disposal of cases in changing situations.
The draft bill is being prepared basing on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Solisorbji Committee, the Police Commission and above all, the direction of the Supreme Court.
The bill also provides giving police some independent authority in its functioning with provisions as to how to change people’s perception towards police as perceived during the British regime. The whole exercise is to make the police people-friendly keeping intact the inherent authority of the police along with making them more accountable.
The proposed model act would envisage formation of the State Complaint Authority and the State Security Commission. Sources said that the bill provides fixed tenure of the Director General of Police and other officials down to the district level. The tenure of the DG Police would be restricted to two years.
Similarly, the bill will also fix criteria for posting and transfer of officers in the rank of SP and above by constituting a State level Establishment Board under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
In the district level, a board under the chairmanship of the Director General of Police will be formed to regulate the posting and transfer of officers in the district level. Sources said that the police are likely to be given magisterial power in certain cases to take speedy disposal of cases at the lower level.