Date:07/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090710660400.htm

New Delhi

A new degree for the constabulary

Prashant Pandey

Police Act envisages an improved and dignified job profile for the Civil Police Officers

NEW DELHI: Considering that constabulary comprises more than 80 per cent of the Indian police ranks and that their interaction with citizens goes a long way in giving shape to public perception, the draft outline for the proposed new Police Act envisages an improved and dignified job profile for them as well as possibly a new nomenclature.

Their remunerations and service conditions would also be enhanced but they would be deployed in the field only after a three-year intensive training in police-related subjects for which they would be awarded a Bachelor's degree.

To be referred to as Civil Police Officers (CPOs), the minimum educational qualification for these officers, according to the draft, would be higher secondary.

Selected on the basis of written and medical fitness tests, these CPOs may be referred to as "trainees".

Two chances to clear exam

These trainees would then be given the three-year training and a degree from a university, accredited by the State Police Board (SPB) for the purpose.

Those failing to clear the degree examinations twice would be declared unsuitable for police service thereafter. (These criteria would apply only for lower functionaries recruited for civil police. The armed police constabulary would be selected using the existing methods).

Those who clear the degree examinations will be inducted into the police with pay scales and other incentives at par with equivalent ranks in other professional services under the State. This is being done to attract the young and talented individuals towards police service.

According to the proposal, the State Government would introduce a shift system in the Civil Police to ensure proper working hours consistent with efficiency in performance.

Transparent process

The Director-General of Police would endeavour, with the approval of the Government, to "outsource as many non-core police functions as possible", the draft says.

Merit-cum-seniority criteria would be evolved for promotion and implemented in all police ranks through a transparent process by the Police Recruitment Board.

Three promotions would ordinarily be available for every level of recruitment.

It is further proposed that every promotion of police officer should be linked to screening examinations and intensive training to "ensure higher levels of compliance of power with accountability".

The draft further proposes that in order to provide adequate avenues for career progression to CPOs, 50 per cent of the direct recruitment posts of sub-inspectors in the State would be earmarked for those having completed seven years of service including the training period.

These ranks would be filled through limited departmental competitive examination.

A CPO would be responsible for serving and protecting citizens, engaging the citizens and gaining their cooperation, policing the beat, patrolling, law and order duties, collecting intelligence to support police work, security duty, traffic duty, investigations and maintaining registers at police stations. He may also help in various supportive roles.