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National Police Commission (NPC) 1977 - 1981

The National Police Commission (NPC) was the first commission to exhaustively review the Indian police system. NPC wrote eight reports in four years. The eight reports suggested all together 291 recommendations all related to police reforms. Most of the recommendations have not been implemented.

The First Report addresses the constabulary and administrative issues such as pay-structure, housing, redressal of grievances, career planning for constabulary etc. 28 recommendations were suggested but the most important recommendations still need to be implemented in the states.

Read NPC 1st Report

The Second Report deals with welfare measures for police families and how to avoid political and executive pressure on the police force. The recommendations propose a new police act to reclassify police duties and responsibilities, postings and tenures of Chiefs of Police, constitution of state security commissions, protection against subjective transfers/suspensions. 33 recommendations were made in the second report, where both the central government and the state governments need to take action.

The Third Report focuses on the police force and weaker sections of the society, village police, corruption in the police, economic offences and modernization. Some of the 54 recommendations are related to postings of Station House Officers /Superintendent of Police, how to combat corrupt police officers as well as guidelines for making arrests. Most of the recommendations have not been implemented.

Read NPC 3rd Report

The Fourth Report concentrates on the issues of investigation, trial and prosecution, industrial /agrarian issues, social legislation and prohibition. The suggestions deal with registration of the First Information Report (FIR), recording of statements of witnesses, arrest, remand and confession, amongst others.  recommendations were suggested, most of them have not been implemented and many of them need amendments of laws.

Read NPC 4th Report

The Fifth Report attends to issues like recruitment of constables and sub-inspectors, training of police personnel, district police and magistracy, women police and police public relations. 27 recommendations were made in this report. The commission has once again raised the demand for a new police act.

The Sixth Report takes up the issues of the IPS, police and students, communal riots and urban policing. 23 recommendations were made, some of them dealing with creation of IPS cadres for  central police organisations, compulsory training for promotions for IPS officers.

The Seventh Report focuses on the organisation and structure of the police, state armed police battalions and district armed reserves, delegation of financial powers to police officers, traffic regulation, performance appraisal of police personnel, disciplinary control, role of the centre in planning, evaluation and coordination and policing in the North-East of India. 60 recommendations were made, some of them related to restructuring of police stations, separating crime investigation from law and order.

The Eight Report addresses the subject of accountability for police performance. This report suggests amongst other 7 major recommendations such as complaints against the police should be defended at governments cost, it also contains a draft bill of a new police act.