Meaning and Definition:

In order to progress, every society needs peace of mind and conducive atmosphere. Distressed society exhausts all their potential in unworthy things. On the other hands, if such societies have a security and safety, then their development can go on prosper and smooth manner. Due to this reason, role of police become important in every society.

Police are charged with criminalizing and politicization our society. Although the fundamental structure for how the police operate was established in 1861, our society has undergone significant transformation, particularly after independence. Due to the cyber era, the public has higher expectations of the police due to the emergence of new crimes. Therefore, in order for the police system to function in line with modern circumstances, Reforms are needed.

The Central as well as the various State Government have been discussing police reforms since the time of independence, but even after more than five decades, the police force is still perceived as being selectively efficient and unsympathetic towards the underprivileged.

The working of police machinery from a judicial perspective is a crucial aspect in maintaining law and order in a society. The role of the police is to enforce the law, maintain public order and prevent crime. The police machinery operates under the guidance of the legal framework set by the government and the judicial system. The judiciary, in turn, oversees the actions of the police to ensure that they are within the bounds of the law and that individual rights are not violated. One of the key principles in the functioning of the police machinery is that of accountability.

The judiciary plays a crucial role in ensuring that the police are functioning within the bounds of the law and that individual rights are protected. The judiciary must ensure that the police are accountable, trained, equipped, and supported, and that they use technology in a responsible manner. With the cooperation of the judiciary and the police, society can maintain a safe and secure environment for its citizens.

Research Objectives:

1. Understand the gap in the current structure and functioning of the Indian police system;
2. To discuss the criminal justice system and the concept of police reforms;
3. To review the main judicial and legislative trends in India's police reforms since independence.
4. Examine how the roles and functions of the police in India could be reformed to enhance their accountability to the rule of law.

Manjaria, Bhagirathsinh N (2014) in his research “An evaluative study on role of police in administration of criminal justice system special reference to state of Gujarat.” discussed that Day-by day, the criminal activity are increasing. Death in police custody is the burning issue of today in society. To maintain balance between weakness and crime is becoming very difficult. So due to this court need to change the objective and way of behaviour against harassment. Due to the misuse of power, poor people are harassed physically and mentally. Due to this type of behaviour, fear is produced and lead to hatred and unsatisfaction. Policemen should be of helping nature but the opposite behaviour is found among the police system. During the custody, intolerable behaviour is done. Corruption also plays a vital role for failure of policemen. It is found unlawful acceptance of gift in government offices but in police system it is at apex. To get money and personal benefit policemen use their power.

He did this research work in 9 chapters. Effective law and order must be followed by the policeman is the prime motto of Researcher. Method of research was used: 1. Primary Information. 2. Secondary Information.

Khatri, Riya (2015) , in his book “Crimonology”, discussed that the Criminology is a wide-ranging interdisciplinary field that encompasses the study of crime and the criminal justice system. Criminological research focuses on issues related to the causes and consequences of crime, delinquency, and victimization, as well as the operation of the criminal justice system, with an emphasis on police, courts, and corrections. Because of the wide range of topics studied within criminology, researchers have required a variety of different methods to address various topics.

Criminology is a branch of sociology, which traditionally examines human behaviour, interaction, and organization. However, it also ties in research and concepts from other areas of study, such as philosophy, anthropology, biology, and psychology.

There are 23 chapters in this book.

Sapahia, Ruchi (2015) , in her research “The Problem of Custodial Violence in India a critical study” She highlights the need for behavioural changes in police, if it has to build an image of people friendly organization. It has to develop a positive concept about itself that it is an organization to serve, rather than a force, in a democracy. On the basis of her research, she reveals that most of the human rights unfriendly police officials, suffer from a hidden lack of self-esteem. They are readily influenced by politicians or persons, who have influence in the society. She opines that a defective system of training of police and inculcating of defective values to police officials, make defective superegos in police functionaries. Thus, value-oriented training is need of the hour, to create a human rights friendly police. Taking a cue from the sub-culture prevailing in the police, She informs that a new entrant in the police organization sees the effect of human rights violations in making people submit to police

Suman (2015) , in her research “Human Rights Violations by Punjab Police.”

The present study which focuses on the violation of Human Rights by the Police is confined to the state of Punjab. It covers 19 districts across three geographical areas of the state. It endeavours to correlate the nature of reported cases of Human Rights violations under specific heads such as failure in taking lawful action, abuse of power, false implication, unlawful detention, custodial torture and death. The study also intends to analyze the basis of the complaints of violation of Human Rights by the Punjab Police and to deduce conclusions for suggestive measures. The study is based on a combination of historical, descriptive and empirical research methods. There are total 8 chapters in this research work. There is no doubt that human rights machinery consists of hosts of institutions, procedures and a web of legal instruments, but at the same time, it has been observed that ultimate solution lies in the spread of a culture of human rights consciousness along with strict implementation of various laws.

Agrwal, HO (2017) , in his book “International Law & Human Rights” writes that to improve state’s Human Rights behaviour, there is an urgent need of rigorous analysis of determinants and effects of human rights violations. He highlights that legal and policy aspects are crucial to the issue of human rights violations. Though there are numerous international instruments based on the conventional law, the record of respect of human rights, on the part of government’s world over, is not very encouraging. The writer finds it inspiring that customary international law recognises the need for action against torture and arbitrary detention. In his opinion, the states must evolve systems which come down hard on such human rights violations and redress such grievances by restructuring their armed and police forces and by taking strict action against the wrong doers by straight away dismissing them or withdrawing their pension rights. There are 6 Parts and 67 lessons.

Saxena, Chhaya (2017), In her research “Misuse of investigative powers of police and human rights of victims of crimes” said that…….. Police is the first agency in whose contact victim comes first after the incidence of victimization. Police plays an important role in ensuring Victims’ human right to justice. Victims face a lot of problems such as delayed police response, no immediate protection, lack of protection from intimidation and harassment from offenders, frequent denial of access to justice by non-registration of FIR. Human rights are the essential rights for the survival of any human being in a dignified way.

This research has identified many methods of misuse of investigative powers by police. This is a Analytical as well as Critical Study. This research work is of doctrinal nature. Data has been collected with the help of information technology and library resources.

M R, Ghanwat (2017), in his research “Police administration and public relations in Maharashtra.” The main object of the study is to find the causes behind unfavoured relations between the police and the public and suggest some solutions to the problem of police public relation which is more important for maintaining Police Administration which is in the interest of the changing society, specially in Maharashtra. The study which is descriptive, analytical and critical in nature is divided in to six chapters. The study highlights the problems and difficulties facing the Police department in Maharashtra. The study is based more on primary and secondary resources. Today in India, the Government at all levels from the villages to the Parliament is democratic and influences every aspect of our life. It need not be emphasised that in an independent, democratic country, the police are accountable to the public at large for each and every one of their actions.

Sonowal, Mayurakhi (2019) in her research “Victim compensation under Indian criminal justice system.” described that Victim compensation refers to payments made by the government to victims of crime. It differs from restitution, which involves payments, in either money or service, made by the offender to the victim of the crime.

In the criminal justice system, victims and criminals can be considered to be as two sides of the same coin where, in the absence of any of them the system does not work. Taking this approach there was a revolutionary development internationally as well as regionally to uplift the condition of victims which were the marginalised group in the justice system. Hence, as a result of this, various countries in their modern criminal justice system, including India, gave them a chance to become a part of the justice system and also provided state compensation to them so that they could at least take various recourses to repair themselves which they suffered as a result of crime.

There are 6 Chapters in this research work. Researcher emphasized on compensation for victim basis on truly justice by different legal instituions. This is an analytical study. Keeping in view the nature of the problem the analytical, comparative, critical methodology has been adopted.

Meenua, Dayma (2019), in her research “An Analytical Study on Role of Police in Administration of Criminal Justice System in Rajasthan.” Analyzed that Criminal Justice refers to the agencies of government charged with enforcing law, adjudicating crime, and correcting criminal conduct. The criminal justice system is essentially an instrument of social control: society considers some behaviours so dangerous and destructive that it either strictly controls their occurrence or outlaws them outright. It is the job of the agencies of justice to prevent these behaviours by apprehending and punishing transgressors or deterring their future occurrence. Only the criminal justice system has the power to control crime and punish criminals. The essential object of criminal law is to protect society against criminals and lawbreakers. For this purpose the law holds out threats of punishments to prospective lawbreakers as well as attempts to make the actual offenders suffer the prescribed punishments for their crimes.

There are 6 chapters in this research work. This is an analytical study in depth on criminal justice system and relevant aspects with relevant acts analysis.

Singh, Yashpal (2020) in his book “Criminal Investigation – Clues and Tactics” discussed about various aspects of investigation by police like Preliminary, Deep & Site investigation. He covered in depth the important points as Post Mortem, Legal Interrogation, Cyber Crimes, Electronic Surveillance, Scientific methods of interrogation and legal review.

In criminal proceedings once a Police Officer receives information about the commission of an offence he is entitled to start investigation of the matter. Investigation includes all the proceedings of collection of evidence conducted by a police officer or by any person who is authorized by the Magistrate in his behalf.

There are 17 Chapters and 4 Appendix in this book

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, its causes, consequences and prevention. It involves analysing criminal behaviour, understanding why individuals commit crimes and developing theories that explain the criminal activity. Criminologists utilise various methods and perspectives to examine crime, including sociology, psychology and biology.

Penology

Penology is the study of the processes and institutions involved in the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders. It examines the effectiveness of different types of punishment, the conditions within correctional facilities and the broader societal implications of punitive measures.

Victimology:

Victimology is the study of victims, their experiences and their interactions with the criminal justice system. It seeks to understand the impact of crime on victims and to develop measures to support and protect them.

Criminal Justice System divided into three parts:

1. Law enforcement or Police Force.

2. Adjudication (Courts)

3. Corrections (jail, Prisons,)

Function of Police : The  following are the important functions lawfully vested in the police force :

1. Patrolling and surveillance

2. Prevention and control of offences

3. Arrest and release of accused on finding non-guilty.

4. Investigation and inquiry into offences

5. Frisking and interrogation of offenders or suspects.

6. Search and seizure.

7. Maintenance of inquest registers.

8. Assistance to Public Prosecutors.

9. Identification of criminals and areas prone to crime.

10. Control of juvenile delinquency.

11. Control of roads and traffic.

Police are generally defined as the civil force responsible for maintaining public order. It caters to the three core needs of the society-

• Protection and Preservation;

• Integration and Unity; and

• Development and Progress.

Organizational Structure of Police:

DGP (Director General of Police)

↓

Adl. DGP (Additional Director General of Police)

↓

IGP (Inspector General of Police)

↓

DIGP (Deputy Inspector General of Police)

↓

SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police)

↓

SP (Superintendent of Police)

↓

Adl. SP (Additional Superintendent of Police)

↓

DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police)

↓

IP (Inspector of Police)

↓

SI (Sub-Inspector of Police)

↓

ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police)

↓

Head Constable

↓

Constable

Law Enforcement Agencies: (State and Central)¹¹

Law enforcement in India is imperative to keep law and order in the nation. Indian law is enforced by a number of agencies. India has a multi-layered law enforcement structure with both federal and state/union.

Under the Constitution, police is a subject governed by states. Therefore, each of the 28 states have their own police forces.

1. CID – Criminal Investigation Department

2. Directorate of Prosecution

3. State Legal Service Authority (SALSA)

4. State Human Rights Commission

5. CBI (Central Beauro of Investigation)

6. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

7. NCRB (National Crime Record Beauro)

8. Ministry of Law and Justice

9. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

10. Law Commission of India

11. Legal and Justice Department (Central and State Govn Both)

12. National Legal Service Authority (NALSA)

Criminal Justice Process : Case Flow/Steps¹²

1. Registration of the FIR

2. Investigation : Interrogation, Examination, Arrest and Detention

3. Final Report

4. Charge Sheet

5. Trial

6. Correction : Bail/Jail/Fine etc.

Legal Framework:

Justice System is primarily governed by: 

1. Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860: (BNS 2023) Substantive law: defining offenses and punishments.

2. Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973: (BNSS 2023) Procedural law: governing investigation, trial, and appeals.

3. Indian Evidence Act, 1872: (BSA 2023) Rules for admissibility and evaluation of evidence.

In order to guarantee that law enforcement organizations serve the public interest while upholding the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental human rights, police reform refers to the methodical change of the policing structure, culture, and practices. It is the expectation of democratic societies that law enforcement should protect the rule of law, maintain public safety, and remain impartial. But the reality in many nations, including India, frequently exposes ingrained problems like inefficiency, power abuse, and corruption.

In India, police have duties that include maintaining public order and preventing and dealing with criminal offences. It is clear that the police system has reduced the number of criminal offences committed in the country.

Police reform has been put off year after year to the point that it is now an enormous task that no one wants to touch. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on these easy targets first. A modern police force is required in the current scenario; hence police reforms are the need of the hour.

There are many issues related to police system in our nation. Even while the Police Act of 1861 is still in effect, things have long since moved on. Due to a lack of forensic tools and investigative officers, conviction rate is very low.

The judiciary has played a role in issuing rulings and recommendations for police reform. However, the scope of judicial review is limited by the Constitution, and both the central and state governments share responsibility for strengthening law enforcement in India's federal structure. Over the years, various commissions and committees have been established by the federal and state governments to strengthen the police force. These include the Santhanam Committee, the Gore Committee, the National Police Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and several others.

The primary reason for the lack of implementation of recommended reforms in the Indian police system can be attributed to the absence of political will. Politicians, who wield significant power and influence, are often uninterested in initiating reforms within the police force. This is because the policeserve as a crucial executive instrument that can be exploited for political gains. Politicians are well aware that control over the police department provides them with the means to intimidate and harass their political opponents.

Challenges in the Investigation Process:

Challenges in the Investigation Process in India Investigation is a critical stage in the criminal justice system, as it lays the foundation for a successful prosecution and a fair trial.

The investigation process involves collecting evidence, examining witnesses, and establishing a prima facie case against the accused. It requires precision, impartiality, and adherence to due process. However, despite a robust legal framework, investigations in India are often plagued by systemic, procedural, and operational challenges that compromise the integrity and efficiency of the criminal justice system.

Investigation is the bedrock of Criminal Justice System. It is by means of investigation that the facts and circumstances relating to an offence are proved before the Court of law. If there is lack of certain and reliable evidences on record, then Court has to give benefit of doubt to the accused. It increases the challenge and responsibility of investigation to collect proper evidences so that it leads to its logical conclusion and justice is delivered. 

Investigation in India is a critical component of the criminal justice system, governed by a complex legal framework, The process involves systematic evidence collection, forensic analysis, and strict adherence to chain-of-custody protocols to ensure judicial admissibility. Despite advancements in forensic technologies-such as DNA profiling, fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and cyber forensics-India faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of trained experts, evidence contamination, and procedural delays.

Misuse of Investigation Powers:

But the real picture is quite different from this image. As is clear from the analysis of court cases in this, too often police reaches quite late at the crime scene, where a prompt visit is required. This late arrival is beneficial for the accused in too many ways. Offender may get chances of not only manipulating or destroying evidences but of evading arrest and can also threaten victim-witnesses for not reporting crime or not to depose against them. His faith and trust upon the Criminal Justice System shatters when he is denied registration of his complaint on one ground or other or his version is substantially changed while registering the complaint so as to shield the accused. Sometimes victim is returned on the ground of his complaint not being in writing, sometimes appropriate section is not invoked or sometimes facts of the case are so twisted that convert the nature of the case. All these methods of police functioning results into failure of victims’ right to access to justice.

This whole misuse of investigative powers by police make the case of prosecution weak and the benefit of all these irregularities pass on to the accused thus resulting into failure of justice. If after going through all this trauma, victim retains something worthwhile to substantiate the case of his victimization or the prosecution version, he can claim successfully and enjoy his human right to justice peacefully. Such a biased, motivated and inadequate investigation leads towards victims’ losing their trust in the Criminal Justice System.

Police and Victim:

Police, prosecution, judiciary and jails are supposed to be the pillars upon which the whole edifice of our Criminal Justice System is based. Among these four, police play a crucial role within the Criminal Justice System and its failures may result into breaking down of the Criminal Justice System.

Police is entrusted with the task of providing protection to victims, to ensure their access to justice delivery system and to collect the best evidence so as to ensure just and fair investigation in the case. Police is the first and foremost agency that comes into contact with the victims of a crime. Victim visualizes the Criminal Justice System through the lenses of police functioning. A proper and positive functioning of police helps in cementing victims’ trust upon the Criminal Justice System.

Reasons behind Negative Role of Police:¹³

The present police act of 1861 is inadequate in upholding the rule of law and give due respect to human rights. There must be some change in our police system. Our police system is failures to prevent crime due to some reason these are followings :

1. Don’t follow Basic concept Human Rights or and Indian Constitution.

2. Our police system doesn‘t work independently. Generally it works under political pressure.

3. Use of illegal means.

4. Inadequate laws.

5. They do not have sufficient staff.

6. They are not treating equally, having partiality.

7. Contact with criminals more than good people in society.

8. They have not sufficient modern electronic equipments for tracing the criminals.

9. Police evade registration of cognizable crime.

10. Use rough tone or abusive language.

11. Police false implicate innocent persons in criminal cases.

12. Police gives third degree torture to the criminal.

13. Police is not used modern techniques in the investigation.

14. Misbehaviour with complainants.

15. Rough behaviour with complainants

16. Illegal detention.

17. Fabrication of False Evidence.

18. Police behaviour‘s is not good towards the people.

19. Use of more of power crowd control.

20. Involve in illegal source of income or anti corruption activity

21. Pleasing political Masters & police also indulge in corruption.

Recent years have brought forward significant worries about the criminalization and politicization of Indian police force. The Indian police force has always represented the rule of law in the country. In recent years, however, the force has been severely weakened by corruption and criminal influence. The "politicization of the police force" refers to the involvement of political groups in everyday police work. It's especially frequent during election times, when political parties use the police to push their own objectives. The police are being used as a weapon by the ruling party to silence and intimidate the opposition. People have lost faith in law enforcement and believe that they are biased as a result.

The Police Act 1861

The police Act, 1861 is an important statute which highlights the functions and powers of police officers. The preamble to this Act states, “it is expedient to reorganize the police and to make it a more efficient instrument for the prevention and detection of crime”.

It is the main statute and it talks about overall administration of police state wise. According to the Section 2 of the Act, the number of officers or men employed in police shall be decided by the respective state government from time to time and will be enrolled formally. The entire working of police force in the state is in the hands of Director- General of Police whereas as per Section 4 of the Act, the administration throughout the district is in the hands of District Superintendent of Police under the directions of District Magistrate.

There are 47 sections in this act.

The National Police Commission

The National Police Commission (NPC) was appointed by the Government of India in 1977 with wide terms of reference covering the police organisation, its role, functions, accountability, relations with the public, political interference in its work, misuse of powers, evaluation of its performance etc. This was the first Commission appointed at the national level after Independence. The Commission produced eight reports between 1979 and 1981, suggesting wide ranging reforms in the existing police set-up. The Police Act of 1861 should be replaced by a new Police Act, which not only changes the system of superintendence and control over the police but also enlarges the role of the police to make it function as an agency which promotes the rule of law in the country and renders impartial service to the community.

The major recommendations of the NPC have remained unimplemented. There is a deep seated and strong resistance to the idea of police reforms. The existing system is unacceptable. It has resulted in subverting the rule of law and in obstructing the growth of a healthy and professional system of policing. It must change.

Law Commission Of India

Law Commission of India is an executive body. It is established through an order of the Government of India. Its core function is to reform laws, comprises of legal experts assigned by the government to take good care of the laws, and create maximum peace, security and justice in the society. It also acts as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice. The Ministry of Law reviews the Law Commission report with the consultation of the concerned Administrative Ministries then submit it in the Parliament time to time. The reports are referred in courts, education or academics, public discussions and the Government departments act upon it according to the Government recommendation.

The First Law commission pre-independence was set up in 1834 under the Charter Act, 1833. There were four Law commission in India during the British Raj by the British Government. Post-independence, the Indian Constitution gave a new direction to law reform towards the need for a democratic legal order with its Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy in the society. The tenure of each Law Commission is five years. Till now 21 Law commission formed, Now the timing of 22^nd law commission. The Law commission of India has submitted 277 reports.

National Human Rights Commission, India

The NHRC is the National Human Rights Commission of India. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October, 1993. The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006. It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in Paris in October 1991, and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations by its Regulations 48/134 of 20 December, 1993. The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights. Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

Human rights are standard that allow all people to live with dignity, freedom, equality, justice and peace.  Every person has these rights simply because they are human beings. They are guaranteed to everyone without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Human rights are essential to the full development of individuals and communities. There are 43 sections in this act. Human rights reflect the minimum standards necessary for people to live with dignity. Human rights give people the freedom to choose how they live, how they express themselves and what kind of government they want to support, among many other things. Human rights also guarantee people the means necessary to satisfy their basic needs, such as food, housing and education. So they can take full advantage of all opportunities.

Police and Reform Suggestions by Supreme Court and Various Committee:

The Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case (2006) mandated several police reforms, including the formation of State Security Commissions, a minimum tenure for police chiefs and operational officers, separation of investigative and law & order duties, establishment of Police Establishment Boards (PEBs) and Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs), and a National Security Commission. Other committees, like the National Police Commission, Padmanabhaiah Committee, and Soli Sorabjee Committee (which drafted the Model Police Act), have also provided similar recommendations for professionalizing the police, improving accountability, and insulating them from political influence to create a more efficient and people-friendly agency. 

Time to time there were various steps had been taken for reforms in Police Administration.¹⁴ These are:

“Police” being a State subject in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, it is the State Governments/UT Administrations, which have to implement the various police measures. The Centre can at best persuade the State from time to time to bring the requisite reforms in the Police administration to meet the expectations of the people. To bring about reforms in police administration, the Central Government had set up a number of Commission/Committees in the past to go into various aspects of policing and suggest suitable measures in this regards.

1. Gore Committee On Police Training (1971-1973)

2. {NPC}National Police Commission (1977)

(Between 1979 and 1981, the NPC produced eight reports.)

1. Ribeiro Committee on Police Refroms 1998

2. Padmanabhaiah Committee on Police Reforms 2000

3. Malimath Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System (2001-2003)

4. Police Act Drafting Committee (PADC) (2005)

5. Supreme Court Directives on Police Reforms (2006)

6. Madhav Menon Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms (Report Submitted 2007)

7. Justice Verma Committee on Criminal Justice System (2012)

8. In 2020 - A five-member Committee for Reforms in Criminal Lawhas been set up by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. 

9. NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) Recommendations, 2021 on Police Reforms

Justice Verma Committee on Criminal Justice System (2012):

Justice Verma Committee was constituted to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women. The Committee submitted its report on January 23, 2013.

On December 23, 2012 a three member Committee headed by Justice J.S. Verma, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was constituted to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women.  The other members on the Committee were Justice Leila Seth, former judge of the High Court and Gopal Subramanium, former Solicitor General of India. The Committee submitted its report on January 23, 2013.  It made recommendations on laws related to rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, child sexual abuse, medical examination of victims, police, electoral and educational reforms. 

Finally, the formation of a national police agency will provide a unified structure for addressing interstate crimes, enhancing coordination, and fostering best practices across the country. This agency can serve as a model for professional policing and ensure consistency in the application of reforms nationwide. Taken together, these reforms offer a comprehensive pathway toward safeguarding human rights through a more accountable, impartial, and professional police force. For India to truly achieve the goals of its constitutional mandate, the police must operate as an independent and unbiased institution, free from external interference. Only then can it ensure the protection of citizens’ rights, foster public trust, and uphold the rule of law. The path to meaningful reform may be challenging, but it is needed for the evolution of policing in India and the better protection of the Human Rights of the people.

Police Reform: Key reasons –

Police reform is needed to align policing with democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law, addressing systemic issues like corruption, an overburdened force, and outdated practices. Modern policing requires adaptation to new forms of crime, professionalization, and improved accountability to foster public trust and effectively serve and protect the community. 

1. Modernizing Policing

2. Upholding Democratic Values

3. Betterment in Investigation

4. Ensuring Accountability

5. Improving Public Trust

6. Protecting Human Rights

7. To quit outdated Legislation

8. To side the Shortage of Staff and Political Interference

9. To be able to handle situation of Increasing Crime and Changing Nature of Crime.

10. To avoid/remove : Misuse of power, corruption

11. Establishment of Human Rights in true sense

Achieving and maintaining prosperity and morality is important for any society. To maintain law and order, an efficient and effective policing is necessary, especially in developing countries like India. Police is an important organ of Justice System of State.

At this time, we need an act which can make police friendly to the public. Police play important role for maintain Rule of law in the state. Hence Police reform aims to transforms the old cultures, policies and practices of police organization so that police can perform their duties with respect of democratic values, human rights.

Numerous commissions at the State and Central levels have been established to recommend reforms, but the government has largely given their suggestions only superficial consideration. Consequently, the police force remains much the same as during British rule. Incidents of police brutality are still reported. This conclusion can be drawn that police reforms in India is the need of the hour. It is imperative that more needs to be done than simple underlying changes inside the framework.

The issue of inadequate training in the police force is a critical concern that demands immediate and comprehensive reform. As a central pillar of the criminal justice system, it is crucial for the police to receive professional and scientific training. Crime investigation and law and order should be handled by separate departments. Finally, it is clear that police changes in India are urgently needed.

The transformative reforms in the Indian Police is possible through appropriate interventions in skill building and attitudinal training, through reforms. It is essential to give a fresh look at the police as a service organization meeting those needs of the society that are essential for safety, security, quality of life and peace.

By implementing these suggestions and recommendations, the Indian police system can undergo significant transformations, leading to an enhanced ability to maintain law and order, protect citizens' rights, and strengthen public trust in the criminal justice system:

1. Empowering Police with Necessary Authority
2. Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms
3. Strengthening Police Infrastructure
4. Enhancing Community Engagement
5. Upgrading Training Programs
6. Reforms in Recruitment Processes

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13. Paranjape, 2015, Criminology, Penology & Victimology, 8th Edition, Central Law Publication, Allahabad, India
14. Singh, Awatar, 2015, Law of Evidence, 20th Edition, Central Law Publication, Allahabad, India
15. Singh, Yashpal, 2020, Criminal Investigation – Clues and Tactics, 2nd Edition, Alia Law Agency, Allahabad, India

National Commissions and Committee Reports:

16. Law Commission of India http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in, as on Jan 2024
17. National Human Righs Commission of Indiahttp://nhrc.nic.in, as one Jan 2024

18. The National Police Commission, India https://humanrightsinitiative.org, as on Jan 2024
19. The Protection of Human Rights Act, http://www.indiacode.nic.in, as on Jan 2024
20. The Police Act, 1861 http://www.indiacode.nic.in, as on Jan 2024
21. Justice Verma Committee Reporthttps://www.prsindia.org, as on Jan 2024

Webliography:

22. Sahu, Deepak Kumar( Apr. 26, 2024), Indian Criminal Justice System and Human Rights-Contemporary Issues, Challenges and Safeguards, Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, Volume 30, No. 4 (2024) (Pages 11460-11466)
23. Sahu, Deepak Kumar( 2025), The Criminal Justice System in India, Journal of Marketing and Social Research, Volume 2, Issue 5 (July 2025) (Pages 510-514)
24. Sahu, Deepak Kumar(2025), Role of Police in Administration of Criminal Justice System in India-Problems and Prospects, Journal of Informatics Education and Research, Volume 05, No. 3 (2025) (Pages 1749-1760)
25. Shodhganga http://hdl.handle.net/10603/638569, as on Jan 2024 Police reforms to safeguard human rights in india a critical analysis.
26. Shodhganga: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/407769, as on Jan 2024 Police reforms in Kerala a critical evaluation.
27. Shodhganga: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/632229, as on Jan 2024 egislative and judicial trends in police reforms A study in the light of current
28. Shodhganga: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/612906, as on Jan 202Need for Reforms in Police System in India with Special Reference to Their Training Recruitment and Powers.
29. Shodhganga: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/649847, as on Jan 2024Police Administration And Need For Police Reforms An Analytical Study With Special Reference To Guna District.