Indian Police Reform

dnivas · Post by **dnivas** » 27 Jun 2011 11:27

rahulm wrote:Day 5 - part 5

ODO check: 301 kms

Before, I start, the going rate in this office now is Rs. 500 per day. However, I have resolved, I shall not have my rights usurped by the very people who are supposed to serve and protect me. I will NOT pay. Period. Previously, I had not paid to lodge an FIR at a different police station for a lost mobile and I am not paying now. I did get the FIR lodged.

.......

Thank you for the very detailed post. Shame on those gents. It will be also nice if you could repost the above posts at http://ipaidabribe.com/

sum · Post by **sum** » 27 Jun 2011 11:54

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/polit ... er,%20bhai

Reform the Mumbai police? But how do you clean a cesspool of oceanic depth?

I do not claim to be an expert on the Mumbai police. But I’ve worked as a reporter in India’s richest metropolis for 25 years, and remained in close touch for another two decades. Some of this time has been spent in exploring the underbelly of Mumbai.

As a cub reporter, I was offered my first bribe on the steps of a magistrate’s court. I soon discovered that a senior reporter was running a lucrative business writing on crime. So before I learned about corrupt policemen or politicians, I was introduced to the venality of fellow journalists.

If this theory turns out to be true, then it’ll only confirm what’s been said for some time — that now there’s little to distinguish the Mumbai police from the city’s legendary underworld.

Some of India’s phenomenally rich policemen, serving or retired, live in Mumbai. The list includes IPS officers, an elite bunch that commanded countrywide respect and admiration up to the ’80s. Many factors brought about the descent of the Mumbai police into corruption and criminality. To begin with, there were the policy blunders, both at the state and the national level. Prohibition and the ban on the import of gold, which helped create smuggling syndicates, immediately come to mind. But IPS officers generally remained outside this circle of infamy. What ultimately sucked everyone into the whirlpool was the crazy ’90s property boom.

Stupid policies — a draconian law protecting tenants; the decision to keep big business out of construction; the land ceiling law; and the failure to create housing for the poor — all helped bring the underworld into Mumbai’s real estate business in the ’80s, either as enforcers or as builders. The ’90s boom made many fabulously wealthy. Today, the builders and land sharks, straight or “history-sheeters”, have become so influential that they virtually run Mumbai. And preside over a vast empire of graft running into thousands of crores.

It therefore surprises no one that occasionally the Mumbai police grapevine hums with rumours of the senior posts selling for as much as Rs 50 crore. These incredible amounts are allegedly paid to politicians by builders’ syndicates whenever they succeed in getting the top job for their chosen candidate — the primary qualification being willingness to serve the builders’ mafia. The builder-government nexus is so flagrant that not long ago a highly influential builder, now in jail, was virtually camped inside a bureaucrat’s office.

This sea of cash has introduced a totally new dimension to old rivalries between corrupt policemen. The stakes are now exceedingly high for everyone — politician, policeman, builder, gangster (“bhai” in Mumbai patois). As a result, top cops launch vicious campaigns against rivals in the race for senior executive posts.

In this internecine, intra-force lobbying, the capable cops become the victims. Two unquestionably brave officers didn’t get police medals for 26/11 as they don’t belong to any camp. Other honest and diligent officers are cooling their heels in non-executive posts. At the same time officers guilty of criminal dereliction of duty can be constantly rewarded. sAnd when the anti-corruption bureau wanted to investigate top officers with disproportionate assets, the request was summarily rejected. Is it any wonder then that, before he was slain on 26/11, a conscientious professional like Hemant Karkare wanted to return to RAW?

How does one change such a seemingly hopeless state of affairs? As we’ve seen in other spheres, it’s still possible in India to salvage a doomed situation. Sometimes a few good officers can do the job, provided they get the right structural support. Everybody knows what’s to be done. The basic need is to create a buffer between politicians and the police, reduce ministerial interference, ensure good officers take command, and have a watchdog committee of officials, judges and eminent citizens to oversee police functioning.

Several expert committees and a national police commission have done extensive studies and made detailed recommendations. Soli Sorabjee also produced a model draft police act. Five years ago, the Supreme Court issued seven directives to state governments on instituting police reforms. Last November, it issued a notice to Maharashtra for “total non-compliance.”

The problem is compounded in Mumbai since under the coalition government, the spoils are divided — the Congress oversees the municipal corporation, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP the police. Pawar knows the Mumbai police like the back of his hand — he could begin clearing the cesspool on his own if he so desired. But who said the NCP chief is a reformer?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 27 Jun 2011 23:22

The same Mumbai police found and arrested the killers of journalist Mr Dey in 15 days despite many nexus articles and general blaming the police. The lead suspect was found in Rameshwaram, TN and led to the arrest of seven guys dispersed all over the country. They are linked to Chota Rajan.

rahulm · Post by **rahulm** » 28 Jun 2011 13:06

Its not about their competence. I feel the Mumbai police are very competent and this is a high profile case. The journalists have lost one of their own and many journo's may have compromising information about the police at all levels and be prepared to use it or at least the police may fear this factor.

Maybe, after Radia et al, it may be fitting to add journo's to RMji's NBJprie.

The integrity of many police (going by anecdotal evidence) in relation to mango (wo)man stands compromised.

If the police were simply incompetent it would be a simpler matter of skills acquisition. But how does one fix selective lack of integrity?

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 28 Jun 2011 20:01

I thought the "J" in NBJPRIE was Jhola, ie reporters!

Of course police can find any crook if it wants to. Its just that it could rarely be bothered!

rahulm · Post by **rahulm** » 28 Jun 2011 20:45

I think the "J" stands for "Judge" = a metaphor for the legal system.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 29 Jun 2011 17:11

rahulm wrote:The journalists have lost one of their own and many journo's may have compromising information about the police at all levels and be prepared to use it or at least the police may fear this factor.

True. The police would be really happy to see one more "pressure group" breathing down their necks. That is the print and visual media

. Journalists of every type (village stringers to editors etc.) have now understood the trick. "Pen is mightier than the lathi", and so these folks can write any thing they want. Visual media have even more bigger advantage, that it can mix up the visuals to create an image which is all together different from what happened on the ground.

In Kerala, now that the CPI(M) is kicked out their "Brown Shirt" brigades mainly the SFI have been activated. The days of violent protests have now started again. The media generally focuses more on the police water cannon attacks, lathi charges and tear gassing of the commie goons, much more than the public property destruction, vandalism done by the commie goons.

ManuT · Post by **ManuT** » 06 Jul 2011 23:46

rahulm

You mentioned about not paying a bribe for FIR.

Do this if a cop refuses to take down a FIR.
Write it yourself at home.
Make 2 copies.
At the police station insist and get both copies signed by the duty officer. (I know assuming he is in his chair)
Given him 1 copy.
Retain 1 copy for self.
FIR is lodged.

Also, there is a web site ipaidabribe.com

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 07 Jul 2011 11:48

ManuT wrote: You mentioned about not paying a bribe for FIR.....
....
At the police station insist and get both copies signed by the duty officer. (I know assuming he is in his chair)
....

Easier said and then. I dont think the problem with raising an FIR, is that the station writer head constable is tired of writing down things into a report. What makes the cops get worried is that once an FIR lodged, and it is for some thing which they are bound to take action (cognizable offence), then they will have to get moving

.

For eg: The police is duty bound to lodge an FIR if a mobile phone is reported stolen. And the number of mobiles which gets stolen in a city like Bangalore, the entire station staff would have to focus on hunting down mobile phone thiefs (and nothing else). The data of FIRs which gets logged, is compared with the number of crimes solved by the station etc. And if the numbers dont show a good picture, the SHO and the police men will face the music.

Also, there is a web site ipaidabribe.com

And then what happens?

.

Tanaji · Post by **Tanaji** » 08 Jul 2011 00:40

rahulm:

Awesome stuff. Easy for me to say,, as the marathi saying goes: "Shivaji janmaala yaava, pan to shejaarchya ghari..."

The real question here is whether the time spent and 300 km was worth Rs. 500 of the bribe. For you, clearly it is about the principles of the thing and not the money. Others (and me included) will pay up and contribute to the problem... I do applaud you for your patience and moral strength...

I went through a similar hell when getting my passport. Took me 6 months, but I got it without a bribe. Would I go through it again? No, I would pay now.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 08 Jul 2011 00:55

Lessons to learn for Sleuths

Really about AP Police recruitment fraud.

Lessons to learn for sleuths

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SI recruitment scam shows the Police Department needs to tighten loopholes, writes MARRI RAMU

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Whenever certain type of crimes such as burglaries by removing grills of windows or thefts by distracting the attention of people are reported, police officials issue advisories how not to fall prey to the offenders again.

Interestingly, it is the turn of the police to learn lessons from an offence – the recently busted scam in recruitment of police Sub-Inspectors and constables. The sleuths of Crime Investigation Department had recently arrested five police Sub-Inspectors and five others, including four impersonators, in the recruitment fraud.

From the selection of impostors to write the exam to morphing of photographs, the fraudsters adopted a modus operandi unheard of in the recent past.

The scam was mostly confined to Nalgonda district. After identifying the candidates ready to pay money for getting help in cracking the selection exams, the fraudsters selected impostors who have some close facial features to the candidates. This was the first step.

Then, they collected photographs of the impostor and the candidate who has some features akin to the former. With the help of a photo studio owner, they got the two pictures morphed using a computer. The morphed photograph looks like that of the impostor and the same was pasted on the application, attendance sheet and answer sheet.

The imposter wrote the exam. Unlike earlier recruitment tests, there was no interview system, and this turned out to be advantageous for the impostors. Based on the marks, appointment letters were sent to the addresses of the candidates.

Carrying the appointment letters, the candidates went to the Andhra Pradesh Police Academy, completed training, and joined service in the department.

No crosschecking

Though the Special Branch unit of the Nalgonda district inquired about the antecedents of the candidates, the procedure did not involve crosschecking of photographs. At the time of joining the APPA for training, the verification of photos on the application forms and those of the candidates was not done.

CID officials opine these lapses helped the fraudsters carry out their scam successfully. The scam would not have come to light forever but for the arrest of some brokers for collecting money from some candidates appearing for police constable tests.

Investigation revealed that fraud was committed not only in the constable selection exams but also in that of SI selections.

Airavat · Post by **Airavat** » 20 Jul 2011 08:37

Physical fitness and police recruits

Rajasthan director general of police Harish Chandra Meena was slammed for demanding that all new recruits into the state’s police force be selected only if they can run 10 km in an hour. Unfortunately, many aspirants were unequal to the task, with nearly 70 fainting in the effort and a 23-year-old candidate dying in Bikaner.

So, Meena came under flak from the media. But instead of backtracking, the 56-year-old police chief ran 10 km in 47 minutes and wondered why young men wanting to join the police force shouldn’t be able to run the distance in an hour.

Hindustan Times

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 20 Jul 2011 10:41

^^

Yes, I read the article too. The logic of the media is totally flawed.

Media: "Because 70 people fainted, he should not have ordered such a qualification test"

But frankly, if they couldnt run those 10kms, maybe they arent suitable for the police, and should find a career elsewhere instead of whining! Honestly, if a nearly 60 year old man can do it, and they cant, then its really not the job for them.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 20 Jul 2011 11:17

And kudos to the Officer for doing it himself!

The media has no sense of its own. It sides with whichever side that generates the most heart wrenching for a reader. We all know that, and I am very glad that the Officer showed the way.

Again, its the argument that most state jobs are there for people to be employed, and same goes for police forces. So demanding any police recruit to be fit, though logical and correct, seems so improbable to many because for most, including the media in this case, its government employment.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 25 Jul 2011 05:37

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/178 ... ouths.html
don't understand the fuss about drinking juice at 10:30pm. this is utter nonsense by cops.

freedom is a big question if these incidents happen.
choice is precious, so citizens should act responsibly and cause a big case for serious decisions that needs to be made on police reform.

if a nuisance maker is caught, tag him.. and have mobile devices capable of highlighting individual on ids, that are networked.. this way, cops can reduce mistaking normal people to criminals.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 27 Jul 2011 07:45

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 378301.cms

4 cops penalized for chaining inmates to hospital beds

pity the poor cops. If that inmate runs away, his career is gone.

I wonder what the SOP for this is.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 27 Jul 2011 07:51

SaiK wrote:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/178 ... ouths.html
don't understand the fuss about drinking juice at 10:30pm. this is utter nonsense by cops.

freedom is a big question if these incidents happen.
choice is precious, so citizens should act responsibly and cause a big case for serious decisions that needs to be made on police reform.

if a nuisance maker is caught, tag him.. and have mobile devices capable of highlighting individual on ids, that are networked.. this way, cops can reduce mistaking normal people to criminals.

stopping people drinking "juice" in the middle of road is definitely not "utter nonsense" by cops. The nuisance and the safety hazard especially for women, which these juice drinking "youths" make on roads is to be seen to be believed.

the above story reveals as much as it hides, I will reserve my judgement on the particular cop until more information is out.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 27 Jul 2011 17:53

Virupaksha wrote:pity the poor cops. If that inmate runs away, his career is gone. I wonder what the SOP for this is.

In major government hospitals I have noticed "prisoner's ward". This ward would have hospital beds and normal hospital equipment, but it would have a grilled door (like the lockup). Police men are posted here as sentries as well. I have seen such systems even in lunatic asylums (acting mental, when they have to face the music for their crime is another trick for the seasoned criminals).

Prisoner escort is also another risky area in India. In many places police have to use the same public transport systems. In some cases the courts have directed not to hand cuff prisoners as it is against their "human rights"

.

the above story reveals as much as it hides, I will reserve my judgement on the particular cop until more information is out.

Media wants to have another sob-story which would give them more user hits/user base. Such one-sided stories are the best way to get it. The police have two problems here.
1. The much hyped and harped case of the police as brutal aggressors have taken much credibility, that Indians considers the police to be at fault, always and every time.
2. The police does not have a media-savvy machinery in place, which can respond to such trash thrown upon them. The standard press statement is that "police men are suspended, or the case is being looked upon". If the police tries to be friendly with the media, I am sure the journalist's main agenda would be to get undue advantage, citing the closeness to the police officers.

"Damn if I do, damn if I dont"=Indian Police.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 27 Jul 2011 18:54

Sachin wrote:
Virupaksha wrote:pity the poor cops. If that inmate runs away, his career is gone. I wonder what the SOP for this is.
In major government hospitals I have noticed "prisoner's ward". This ward would have hospital beds and normal hospital equipment, but it would have a grilled door (like the lockup). Police men are posted here as sentries as well. I have seen such systems even in lunatic asylums (acting mental, when they have to face the music for their crime is another trick for the seasoned criminals).

Prisoner escort is also another risky area in India. In many places police have to use the same public transport systems. In some cases the courts have directed not to hand cuff prisoners as it is against their "human rights" .

when the "prisoner's ward" is overloaded/ when the village hospital doesnt have one, What is the SOP/ is there an SOP at all in the first place

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 09 Aug 2011 09:36

Antiquated rifle being phased out

AHMEDABAD: The city police has begun phasing out the antiquated.303 rifle, often compared to the Lee Enfield guns used in World War-I, as part of its comprehensive anti-terror plan. In its place, the police will only be armed with much lighter automatic weapons like carbines, AK-47s and INSAS rifles.

City police commissioner Sudhir Sinha has also decided to deploy four commandos trained in antiterror tactics in all the police control room (PCR) vans. The city police had deployed 28 PCR vans after the July 26, 2008 serial bomb blasts. These vans used to have only 3 constables, including the driver and two constables with .303 rifles. The .303 rifles will be phased out gradually. This is a part of the lessons learnt from 26/11 when Mumbai police found itself suddenly fighting the LeT fidayeens with .303 rifles.

None of the 85 police stations had automatic weapons and they had to rush to their headquarters to fetch the automatic weapons. This wasted nearly 2 hours, by which time the damage was done.

Let's see when this plan sees the light.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 09 Aug 2011 20:08

The .303 is the Lee-Enfield.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 09 Aug 2011 20:14

ramana wrote:The .303 is the Lee-Enfield.

Guess its full name is No I. Mark III, ~~Small~~ Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle. And I think the police generally uses the Mark II variant which has a spike bayonet. The Delhi Police uses this still on the Republic Day parade (carried at "slope arms"). And I feel that is the only purpose for which this can be used in modern days

.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 09 Aug 2011 21:58

Yeah and for shooting terrorist hiding behind tree trunks.

Its called SMLE as you wrote.

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 09 Aug 2011 23:23

It was one hell of a rifle in its time. But no good for police work. Too powerful!

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 10 Aug 2011 10:07

ASPuar wrote:It was one hell of a rifle in its time. But no good for police work. Too powerful!

This is the anecdote which I have heard (so FWIW). If the distance of the target is less than 300 yards a .303 rifle bullet could go through 2-3 human beings standing closely one behind the other. But again it is very rarely you find theifs,terrorists doing their job and then falling in single file at around 300 yards

.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 10 Aug 2011 21:48

During Andhra agitation in early 70s there was police firing in Vijayawada. One of the victims died while he was sitting in his living room due to the energy of the bullet after penetrating thru the thin wall.

-------
Anyway are the reforms of the Gujarat Police only for Ahmedabad or are they general recommendations for all PCR vehicles in all states?

Aditya Watts · Post by **Aditya Watts** » 11 Aug 2011 21:31

ASPuar wrote:It was one hell of a rifle in its time. But no good for police work. Too powerful!

Indeed a good piece of equipment, but rather inefficient these days. Too bulky for police work.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 25 Aug 2011 09:40

87 more patrol vehicles for city (Chennai)

Eighty-seven more patrol vehicles will be deployed by the city police to act on calls received at its modern control room.

The procurement of 87 additional patrol vehicles would involve a recurring annual expenditure of Rs.35.43 crore and a one-time spending of Rs.6.18 crore, she said.

Making other announcements, she (JJ) said the Chennai City Traffic Police would get 1,125 additional posts as the present strength of 2,238 was inadequate to manage the city's traffic. The new posts would be in both the traffic enforcement and investigation wings.

And new police stations being established.

sugriva · Post by **sugriva** » 26 Aug 2011 09:28

Paging ASPuar....
When YS Dadwal was made the DP Commissioner did he supercede Kiran Bedi. If Kiran Bedi was superceded why did she not approach CAT? Or is YS Dadwal senior to Kiran Bedi in the service?

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 06 Oct 2011 12:04

Hi-tech security: Gujarat police to get 40 radiation detectors

Its funny that journos makes things sound like there is something really good happening. Gujarat Police needs to first buy some heavily armoured vehicles to be prepared for Mumbai like attack. Police having these detectors but holding .303 to counter terrorists is not hi-tech.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 06 Oct 2011 13:50

sugriva wrote:Paging ASPuar....
When YS Dadwal was made the DP Commissioner did he supercede Kiran Bedi. If Kiran Bedi was superceded why did she not approach CAT? Or is YS Dadwal senior to Kiran Bedi in the service?

Yes

Kiran Bedi 1972 VRS from DG,BPRD
Y S Dadwal 1974. retiring this month. DG SSB

ManjaM · Post by **ManjaM** » 08 Oct 2011 02:30

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/196 ... fumes.html

Although commuters are at risk from these threats, traffic policemen stationed at crowded junctions and crossings are often the worst affected. With shifts that extend from seven in the morning to two in the afternoon, and then from two in the afternoon to 10 in the night, their exposure to these fumes is both prolonged and continuous.

Although protocol dictates that they have to be supplied with masks to protect themselves, many of them have not been given these.

A traffic police inspector at the Cubbon Park Police Station says, “The department used to provide these officers with masks, but nowadays, the government has not been supplying them to us.”

Shifts extend from 7am to 10pm ? Is this DDM at work or are they talking of 2 different persons manning 2 different shifts. If this is one person doing both shifts then

. Seems almost inhuman.

sum · Post by **sum** » 08 Oct 2011 11:02

^^ Sadly, it isn't DDM and more than 80% of the traffic cops have a virtual 18-20 hour day daily ( and even the weekly off is out if a VVIP t comes visiting due to traffic bandobas duties or some "terror alert" sounded for holiday season)

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 09 Oct 2011 19:14

ManjaM wrote:Shifts extend from 7am to 10pm ? Is this DDM at work or are they talking of 2 different persons manning 2 different shifts. If this is one person doing both shifts then . Seems almost inhuman.

It would be in two shifts. 7AM to 2PM (one chap), 2PM to 10PM (another chap). A skeletal strength would also be remaining for the night patrols etc. And as sum said, even this shift roster would be thrown out of the window, if additional people are required due to some VIP movement, "revolutions" etc. They also have a "weekly off", which again can get cancelled because of emergencies.

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 11 Oct 2011 23:46

Sugriva, sorry I missed your query. As Chaanakya has pointed out, Bedi was senior.

Reasons for not approaching CAT are simple. It is not anyones right to be appointed to a particular post, so any such appeal would have failed. Furthermore, it is the govts prerogative to appoint whichever officer (within the zone of seniority which makes them eligible) they feel is best suited.

In this case, the govt felt it was Dadwal.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 25 Oct 2011 17:40

Pay for damage to public property to get bail: Court
Not related to the Police or its reform per-se. The Hon. HC of Kerala has said that along with that people accused of public property destruction (as part of revolution, harthal, stone throwing championship etc.) sould have to deposit surety amount in courts along with the meeting of the bail conditions. The surety amount would be returned, if the trial court finds the accused not guilty.

Kerala sees a huge rise in public property destruction (mainly KSRTC buses) and attack on any person in authority (mainly police men), when the Congress (UDF) comes to power and the commies (LDF) are in the opposition. The reasons are obvious. Commies let out their student and youth wings (with 40+ old leaders) and they are given a "go ahead" to do any rampage. For decades this uncouth behaviour was shown as some Marx-given right of the communists, and their targets were perceived to be bourgouise and their henchmen.

This increased in alarming proportions of late, with a sizeable number of youth also getting more violence prone (be it through idealogy or other wise). The media, which used to glorify the commies earlier too started showing the other side of the picture. KSRTC buses burning, or damaged heavily in stone throwing was shown on the media. The media could some how bring in some sense that after all it is the tax-payer's money which going waste because of the commie tantrums.

The police still has a long way to go when it comes to portraying their plight. Off late some reports and photographs have started appearing reporting the injuries of the police men and a few photographs. Earlier this was completely ignored, and we only used to see the commie rowdies bleeding and yelling Inquilab Zindabad.

But a few commie goons sitting inside the jail, with no one to pay the surety amount would bring back some culture in the youth of the so called "100% literate state"

. The state government is planning for fast track courts, to exclusively deal with the public property destruction cases.

Aditya Watts · Post by **Aditya Watts** » 26 Nov 2011 22:12

Home ministry plans to modify police uniform

The conventional khaki shirt and trouser, woollen caps and archaic leather shoes don't quite make up for an attractive uniform, and so, our police force is a tad too boring to look at. But all this is set to change.

The country's police will soon get a makeover with the boring uniform giving way to a smarter and more comfortable version.

The Union home ministry has commissioned a study in which uniforms of police from across the world will be observed.

This will form the basis for modifying the uniform the Indian police wear, which was essentially designed in the pre-Independence era.

As new, more comfortable fabrics are now available and things like the leather belt and the woollen beret have lost their utility, the home ministry has decided it's time to rehash the design of the Indian police uniform.

The main idea is to make a policeman look smarter and comfortable in his uniform.

According to the objectives of the study, the new uniform should be smart and professional and convey authority as well as give a unique identity to the policeman.

"The police throughout the country should have a uniform that is comfortable, weather- friendly and has the utility features that are a requirement of the day. There will be a comparative study of police uniforms of important countries with a view to suitably modify uniforms for the Indian police and suggest a practical working uniform, for all hierarchical levels," an MHA official said.

The change will start from the top - the woollen beret cap. These caps, which are issued once a year to each policeman in the constabulary, have been found to be rather uncomfortable to wear, given the usual warm and sunny weather in the country.

They are also inconvenient when dealing with law and order situations or driving a twowheeler.

The replacement for these woollen beret caps could be baseball caps with POLICE written on them, which will not only be lightweight and offer shade, but look trendy as well. Many police forces abroad use such caps.

Another highly uncomfortable feature are the wide leather belts which come with heavy metal buckles, making them discomforting to wear over long hours. A replacement now being considered is modern nylon multi-utility belts which will do away with the metal buckles.

These light-weight belts will be multi-utility with dedicated grooves to hold on to accessories like wireless sets, mobile phones, whistles and even a weapon to increase tactical as well as operational functionality.

The fabric of the khaki shirts and trousers makes life miserable for policemen during the summer.

It is now being suggested that the police be allowed to shift to pure cotton shirts or even collared T-shirts of khaki colour, which will have concealed pockets to hold essential items. Similarly, the staid formal trousers will give way to new cargo trousers with no pleats but multiple pockets, according to a suggestion to the home ministry.

And lastly, the shoes might be changed too. They can be replaced with working tactical shoes that are sporty and light- weight. Ankle- length boots can also be used, according to a suggestion.

"The whole idea is that the new uniform should provide occupational protection. It should be suitable for tough working conditions and not hinder the policeman's performance while on duty," a senior home ministry official said.

The uniform will have to be comfortable and weather-friendly. It should also be suitable for tough working conditions.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/home ... 61383.html

Finally! Imho this is also one of the reasons that Indian police personnel always seem frustrated.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 29 Nov 2011 22:57

All the police reform threads on BRF have taught me the real issue is politician reform that is needed. Rest will all follow.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 12 Dec 2011 07:33

Maharashtra can soon track crime, criminals at the click of a mouse.

The state home department is all set to connect all the 1,039 police stations with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networking Service (CCTNS). Maharashtra could be the fist state in the country to implement the CCTNS, thereby helping
police stations track information about any criminal registered in any part of the state.

Responding to the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the state home department has almost completed the procedure to launch the CCTNS. “The MHA has been implementing the project across the country. However, Maharashtra could be first state to roll out the project as the preparation from our side has been completed,” said additional chief secretary UC Sarangi.

“We have trained 60,000 police personnel to implement the CCTNS across the state. The connectivity is already in place, we have done the hardware installation and are waiting for the hardware to be provided by the Centre. We are expecting to roll the project by March 2012,” he said.

According to officials from the department, information sharing and access to criminals’ details will help officials in analysing and investigating cases.

Another official from the home department said that the CCTNS will help the police department in investigation, detection and also in the administrative work. He said that it will make the administrative procedures, like passport verification, communication within the department, easy for the department.

The initiative has been launched under the e-governance project of MHA and National Crime Records Bureau.The project will connect 14,000 police stations and 6,000 administrative offices in the country.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs2,000 crore for the project in the eleventh five-year plan, of which Maharashtra received Rs85 crore.Wipro has been appointed as the system integrator.

Sachin · Post by **Sachin** » 15 Dec 2011 16:17

Vipul wrote:Maharashtra can soon track crime, criminals at the click of a mouse.

Socialist Republic is planning to get this piloted as well. If I am not mistaken Cent. Govt. has identified a few states where CCTNS would be piloted. Eagerly awaiting some usage reports.