Creation of a new Police Force> Introduction

The research done for this campaign has analyzed the structural shortcomings in the present police force. This campaign suggests a new structure for the police force where the current police force structure will be divided into three entities. The first is an independent crime investigation unit, the second is a unit handling serious law and order issues (e.g. riot control) and the third is empowering of the local police.

To separate the crime investigation from law and order is not a unique suggestion and has been suggested in the sixth and seventh report of the NPC. These reports have suggested that the crime investigation unit should be separated from the law and order unit but both units should still fall under the same station house officer (SHO).

In general most of the earlier proposals from various police reform commissions have concentrated largely on issues related to the symptoms of the system rather than on structural issues. However, in order to create a comprehensive reform, there has to be a substantial structural change.

To avoid incorporating the same structural problems in the new police force structure five principles have been identified to lay the foundation of the new system. The new system has to:

                 1. Remove the scope for unwarranted political interference

                 2. Lessen the burden on the police and improve its efficiency

                 3. Empower the police (especially those in the lower ranks)

                 4. Ensure police accountability to the public

                 5. Increase the collaboration between the police and the prosecutor

As shown below, the crime investigation unit is insulated from the law and order unit and the local police force has been given autonomy in certain jurisdictional cases.