NCJ Number
61221
Date Published
1978
Length
218 pages
Annotation
IN LIGHT OF THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM ON INDIAN POLICE PROCEDURES AND NORMS, THE NATURE OF THE INDIAN POLICE IS EXAMINED BY A FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, BIHAR.
Abstract
THE INDIAN POLICE FUNCTION AS A SYMBOL OF STATE AUTHORITY AND, TO SOME EXTENT, AS AN ARMY OF OCCUPATION. SINCE COLONIAL TIMES, THE POLICE HAVE EMPHASIZED THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER AT THE EXPENSE OF CRIME PREVENTION AND DETECTION. REORIENTATION OF THE POLICE AWAY FROM ITS HOLDOVER OF COLONIAL PHILOSOPHY WOULD ENTAIL THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFORM CODE REFLECTING THE DESIRES OF THE PEOPLE; CHANGES IN PERSONNEL PLANNING; THE ROOTING OUT OF POLICE CORRUPTION AND POSSIBLY POLICE DECENTRALIZATION; REFORM OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS; AND REDESIGN OF POLICE UNIFORMS TO MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT CIVILIAN DRESS. ALSO, PROTECTION GIVEN TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES SHOULD BE LESS CEREMONIAL AND WASTEFUL AND CRIME PREVENTION AND DETECTION SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO WHITE COLLAR CRIME, GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, AND ART THEFT. AS AN AID TO REFORMERS, THIS VOLUME LAYS OUT THE DUTIES OF EACH LEVEL OF POLICE ADMINISTRATION FROM RURAL TO URBAN AREAS, AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS, WOMEN, INTELLIGENCE FORCES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND SPORTS AND ATHLETICS. POLICE USE OF COMPUTERS AND EQUIPMENT AND THEIR METHODS OF COLLECTING STATISTICS ARE DETAILED, AS ARE THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR POLICE WELFARE. OTHER TOPICS BRIEFLY COVERED ARE EFFORTS TO INTEGRATE THE NATION, THE DISORGANIZATION OF INDIAN SOCIETY, THE CONCEPTS OF PUNISHMENT, AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF 'SARVODAYA'. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (WJR)