The Need for Police Reforms in India
For decades, India has lived with a police system that looks modern on paper but feels colonial in practice. The everyday citizen still views the police not as an ally but as an unpredictable force—sometimes helpful, often intimidating, and too frequently unaccountable. The recent incidents of custodial violence, delayed FIRs, partisan investigations, and allegations of political misuse are not isolated failures; they are symptoms of a deeper structural problem. India does not merely need stronger policing; it needs comprehensive police reforms rooted in accountability, professionalism, and public trust.
The origins of the problem go back to the Police Act of 1861—a law designed not to protect citizens but to control them. It was crafted in the aftermath of the 1857 revolt, with the primary goal of enforcing obedience. More than 160 years later, much of that colonial mindset lingers. The police remain answerable more to political executives than to the people. Transfers and postings often depend on political convenience rather than merit. This breeds a culture where neutrality becomes risky and obedience becomes the only safe path for officers.
The Supreme Court recognized the urgency of reform in its landmark Prakash Singh (2006) judgment. It laid down a clear blueprint: independent complaints authorities, fixed tenure for key officers, separation of investigation from law and order, and transparent appointment processes. Yet, nearly two decades later, many states have implemented these directives only partially, reluctantly, or cosmetically. Reform cannot be effective if it exists only on paper.
One of the most urgent areas of reform is investigation quality. India’s police force is chronically understaffed, undertrained, and overburdened. Investigating officers juggle multiple cases, law-and-order duties, political pressures, and administrative work. The result is predictable: inadequate evidence collection, poorly prepared charge-sheets, and wrongful arrests. Low conviction rates across major offences reveal a system where justice often depends less on facts and more on chance.
Another pressing concern is custodial violence, which continues to stain India’s human rights record. Despite clear Supreme Court guidelines and the D.K. Basu judgment, custodial deaths and torture remain frighteningly common. Without CCTV cameras that function, independent oversight bodies, and swift disciplinary action, the culture of impunity will not change. Policing must shift from force-centric methods to intelligence-driven, technology-based investigation.
Equally important is protecting the police force itself. Policemen work long hours, lack basic facilities, and face tremendous political and public pressure. A demoralized force cannot be expected to deliver ethical policing. Reforms must include mental-health support, better housing, modern equipment, gender-sensitive workplaces, and improved training. If India wants a modern police force, it must invest in the human beings behind the uniform.
Technology, while transforming policing globally, is unevenly used in India. Crime data is often poorly digitized, and forensic infrastructure remains inadequate. A modern police force should rely on digital evidence, body cameras, scientific forensics, and real-time data analysis—not outdated methods or confessions extracted under duress. Technology must also be accompanied by strong safeguards to prevent misuse of surveillance powers.
Most importantly, police reforms must be community-centred. Public trust cannot be legislated; it must be earned. Community policing models, public-feedback mechanisms, and transparency in operations can bridge the deep mistrust between citizens and the force. Policing should be seen not as coercion but as service.
The need for reform is not a mere administrative priority—it is a constitutional necessity. A democracy cannot thrive if its primary law-enforcement institution operates without accountability or independence. India stands at a point where reforms are not optional; they are overdue.
If the country is to move forward, it must abandon the colonial legacy of policing and build a system rooted in dignity, fairness, and justice. Police reforms are not just about better crime control; they are about strengthening the very foundation of democracy.
