SMART policing can only happen if the neta-babu stranglehold is released
Article from our President Mr. N Ramachandran as published in Times of India today
SMART policing can only happen if the neta-babu stranglehold is released
The friendly neighborhood policewoman and policeman is often seen as not so friendly – but corrupt, insensitive, inefficient, beyond any accountability, partisan. Of course there are also several examples of police displaying the highest standards of probity and professionalism. But in the absence of robust systems and processes, coupled with the ability of unscrupulous persons to manipulate, subvert and even criminalise the system, the good work that gets done is easily eclipsed. Only the bad cop stands out.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s next meeting with the Directors-General of all state and central police organisations, it must be said that over the years this conference has remained by and large ritualistic, with very little strategising content or impact. But Modi’s vision of a SMART police, articulated at the 2014 Guwahati meeting of the DGPs, raised hopes of reform.
SMART stands for a strict but sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsive, techno-savvy and trained body of professionals. But i wonder if the real dimensions of this vision have been fully understood by the police brass and the bureaucracy responsible for implementing this vision. I say this because the discussions at many of the meetings on SMART policing have been primarily around acquiring technologies and smart phone applications which apparently would make the police SMART.
What is missing is a discourse on how to prepare the field policewoman and policeman to undergo attitudinal transformation and skill-development. What is missing is how the police should base its core values on integrity, rule of law, respect for human rights and accountability to the citizens. Only a strict adherence to these values will address issues of violence against women, protection of Dalits and the socially excluded and disadvantaged sections.
Those in charge should realise that a strategy based purely on technology cannot make the police sensitive, values-driven and people-friendly. This conceptual confusion and the general ‘chalta hai’ attitude to reform have kept us where we have always been.
Who is responsible for smartening the police? No one expects Modi to wield a magic wand to materialise a SMART police tomorrow morning. Our police officers should know that no outsider will come and reform the police. Police reform has to be conceived and driven by serving police officers themselves. Thus, the only way of realising the SMART police vision would be by making the police leadership fully empowered and responsible for its implementation.
This will mean politicians and bureaucrats giving up their stranglehold over the police. While political oversight is an integral part of democracy, there should be no interference in day-to-day police operations, postings and transfers. There should be zero tolerance for police officers abdicating their legal and constitutional responsibilities, ‘waiting for orders from above’, as has been happening in many states.
A nationwide action plan for modernising police recruitment and training and a well thought out action plan for leveraging technology must be at the core of the transformation. Nobody can expect honest service delivery from someone who has paid a bribe to become a policeman! Reforming police recruitment therefore must be the first step. As for training, it is a sad reflection of the state of neglect that in some of the states the syllabus of police training has not been revised for several decades now.
Another necessary step in police reform is improving the abysmal working and living conditions of our subordinate police personnel. Compensation to next of kin of police personnel who make the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and rehabilitation of their dependents also demands more attention.
The huge elephant in the room is that the prime minister’s passion for change is not shared by some of those who have the responsibility to make the SMART vision a reality. The point i want to reiterate on the eve of the DGPs’ conference is that transformational change in the police can happen only if the police leadership passionately feels the need for a transformation. They should realise that SMART police is a carefully envisioned project in statecraft and not an empty slogan in stagecraft. more
SMART policing can only happen if the neta-babu stranglehold is released
The friendly neighborhood policewoman and policeman is often seen as not so friendly – but corrupt, insensitive, inefficient, beyond any accountability, partisan. Of course there are also several examples of police displaying the highest standards of probity and professionalism. But in the absence of robust systems and processes, coupled with the ability of unscrupulous persons to manipulate, subvert and even criminalise the system, the good work that gets done is easily eclipsed. Only the bad cop stands out.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s next meeting with the Directors-General of all state and central police organisations, it must be said that over the years this conference has remained by and large ritualistic, with very little strategising content or impact. But Modi’s vision of a SMART police, articulated at the 2014 Guwahati meeting of the DGPs, raised hopes of reform.
SMART stands for a strict but sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsive, techno-savvy and trained body of professionals. But i wonder if the real dimensions of this vision have been fully understood by the police brass and the bureaucracy responsible for implementing this vision. I say this because the discussions at many of the meetings on SMART policing have been primarily around acquiring technologies and smart phone applications which apparently would make the police SMART.
What is missing is a discourse on how to prepare the field policewoman and policeman to undergo attitudinal transformation and skill-development. What is missing is how the police should base its core values on integrity, rule of law, respect for human rights and accountability to the citizens. Only a strict adherence to these values will address issues of violence against women, protection of Dalits and the socially excluded and disadvantaged sections.
Those in charge should realise that a strategy based purely on technology cannot make the police sensitive, values-driven and people-friendly. This conceptual confusion and the general ‘chalta hai’ attitude to reform have kept us where we have always been.
Who is responsible for smartening the police? No one expects Modi to wield a magic wand to materialise a SMART police tomorrow morning. Our police officers should know that no outsider will come and reform the police. Police reform has to be conceived and driven by serving police officers themselves. Thus, the only way of realising the SMART police vision would be by making the police leadership fully empowered and responsible for its implementation.
This will mean politicians and bureaucrats giving up their stranglehold over the police. While political oversight is an integral part of democracy, there should be no interference in day-to-day police operations, postings and transfers. There should be zero tolerance for police officers abdicating their legal and constitutional responsibilities, ‘waiting for orders from above’, as has been happening in many states.
A nationwide action plan for modernising police recruitment and training and a well thought out action plan for leveraging technology must be at the core of the transformation. Nobody can expect honest service delivery from someone who has paid a bribe to become a policeman! Reforming police recruitment therefore must be the first step. As for training, it is a sad reflection of the state of neglect that in some of the states the syllabus of police training has not been revised for several decades now.
Another necessary step in police reform is improving the abysmal working and living conditions of our subordinate police personnel. Compensation to next of kin of police personnel who make the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and rehabilitation of their dependents also demands more attention.
The huge elephant in the room is that the prime minister’s passion for change is not shared by some of those who have the responsibility to make the SMART vision a reality. The point i want to reiterate on the eve of the DGPs’ conference is that transformational change in the police can happen only if the police leadership passionately feels the need for a transformation. They should realise that SMART police is a carefully envisioned project in statecraft and not an empty slogan in stagecraft. more
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May be SHO should also take the initiative, Where Professionals should be invited to Facilitate the ground staff on behavioural training and importance as most of the time Ground staff are trained once and then they perform in stressful condition. So its time to rethink. more
Jun 19
Many IPS , Many IAS Officers having best public and nation oriented performance were cornered , transferred to remote or unimportant posts. This was observed by me in 70s , 80s .... .... in 2012, 13 too . In 2016 and 17 also , Political authorities cornered and even insulted sincere and efficient IAS . Astonishingly, the Cases though rarely dared to record , STILL PENDING FOR ACTIONS AND JUDGMENTS . Political Intervention alone is the root cause of failure of Duties by Government Servants of all Status and is undoubted . more
Jun 19
Is it really compulsory to allow intervention of political parties in Police dept related work? If Police officer is honest and no.are more than they should expose such kind of politician to bring out real face. This dept needs reform. Whenever i read the newspaper always some news on many subjects which could have been avoided if police were very active & attentive. If police want then more than 80% crime can be controlled in their area. But again if Police wants. It is very big question mark ????? Good police officers must be there but they are in very less numbers. more
Jun 19
Political intervention can not be only one root cause. It may be major reason. Two functionary body are for diff purpose IPS/IAS. Police dept function is not appropriate as per country requirement. It is a bitter truth in India. Whatever influence is there but if unity is there in this dept & have a desire to perform their duty with honesty for the purpose to meant it then surely situation will be different. Major reform is badly needed in all the functionary body of Govt to bring revolution in this country.
Any action against political person who is involve in influencing the police work must be address by some of the procedure. It must be taken as serious offence.
70 & 80 time were diff and now the time is diff. Technology & Transparency have major role to bring changes.
Yesterday only i sent one post as small input. My first line itself was that ' Innovation & technology is need of today if it is not adopted then it means the system is outdated & not appropriate as per requirements.'
India is highly populated country and to run the 50 century old show is foolishness in this technology time. To manage the country with proficiency is a talent.
We know that so many tom dick and herry persons are sitting in a politics who are spoiling the atmosphere of work and disturbing the whole system so my request to every one that just not leave such kind of people. Expose them and oppose the circumstances. more
Any action against political person who is involve in influencing the police work must be address by some of the procedure. It must be taken as serious offence.
70 & 80 time were diff and now the time is diff. Technology & Transparency have major role to bring changes.
Yesterday only i sent one post as small input. My first line itself was that ' Innovation & technology is need of today if it is not adopted then it means the system is outdated & not appropriate as per requirements.'
India is highly populated country and to run the 50 century old show is foolishness in this technology time. To manage the country with proficiency is a talent.
We know that so many tom dick and herry persons are sitting in a politics who are spoiling the atmosphere of work and disturbing the whole system so my request to every one that just not leave such kind of people. Expose them and oppose the circumstances. more
Jun 20
Many IPS , Many IAS Officers having best public and nation oriented performance were cornered , transferred to remote or unimportant posts. This was observed by me in 70s , 80s .... .... in 2012, 13 too .
In 2016 and 17 also , Political authorities cornered and even insulted sincere and efficient IAS .
Astonishingly, the Cases though rarely dared to record , STILL PENDING FOR ACTIONS AND JUDGMENTS .
Political Intervention alone is the root cause of failure of Duties by Government Servants of all Status and is undoubted . more
In 2016 and 17 also , Political authorities cornered and even insulted sincere and efficient IAS .
Astonishingly, the Cases though rarely dared to record , STILL PENDING FOR ACTIONS AND JUDGMENTS .
Political Intervention alone is the root cause of failure of Duties by Government Servants of all Status and is undoubted . more
Jun 19
This strangle hold will never be loose. Mr Modi is not to be trusted for his word. Not any politician for that matter. So, now decide what to do next. You may approach ACP (or similar) Mr Sadanand Datey of Maharashtra / Mumbai Police, none other if you want proper guidance. more
Oct 19
