POLICING AN ANOMIC SOCIETY

Author: Prachi Shukla*

Editor: Shreshtha Khatri, Manishikha Mondal

INTRODUCTION

Any civilization requires peace of mind and favorable conditions to progress. However, anarchic civilizations invest all their resources in unworthy endeavors. On the opposite facet, if they feel comfortable, secure, and in control, they can grow and succeed. This is where the police play a vital role in society. We often assume that the current structure of our police force is unsuitable for the needs of a progressive democratic setup with an engaged civilian society and a thriving media.

Our police officers appear to operate in an authoritarian manner, informed by a feudal mindset and almost devoid of any knowledge of public service. This is, at the very least, how the public perceives police, and it is undemocratic. Thus, in recent years, several incidents have called into question the purpose of our police and pointed fingers at the way they operate. The police have found themselves in hot water over how they handled a variety of situations, such as a hostage crisis or a wide range of law-and-order issues. As an outcome of the reported or claimed cruelty attributed to them, the media and civil society have reacted with outrage and censure.

Although crime is not unique to any one civilization, it is best handled in societies marked by strong familism and communitarianism, where citizens actively take part in maintaining order. The art and science of guarding is the art and science of maintaining peace and mandate in a rapidly changing society. As an issue, policing philosophy, methods, and attitudes of those in the administration of policing must not remain static. Hence, it's crucial to understand how it has changed over time to develop into its current form. However, before proceeding, it is essential to consider the reasons and circumstances that have led to the contemporary police system, its structure, and activities.

The belief that Indian society needs to be "protected" against the vices of Western society can be traced back to the origins of moral policing. Research[i] focusing on how vigilantes, or so-called "culture warriors, took advantage of the intentions of Indian legislators by interpreting the phrase "obscenity" in their favour. Cultural groups have often demonstrated that democracy and individuals' fundamental rights in India may be jeopardized when a particular act does not conform to their cultural values and aspirations.

BRIEF HISTORY AND PRESENT SCENARIO OF POLICE SYSTEM IN INDIA

After 1860, senior police officers were recruited in two ways: first, by appointing officers from the British Army, and second, by nominating younger sons of British landed nobility. In 1893, both methods were phased out. Now officers are recruited through a combined competitive exam held in London and open only to Europeans. It was then made available to Indians as well. The Combined Civil Service Examination is now used by the Union Public Service Commission to conduct annual recruitment. Article 312 of the Indian Constitution mentions the All-India Services. Probationers are put through a rigorous basic training program that includes academics, weapons training, and physical fitness, and other activities. The police force is a state subject, according to the Constitution. The state police manual contains rules, regulations, and directions for the police.

In India, the organizational structure of police forces is consistent across the country. The Director-General of Police (DGP) is the chief of a state's police force. Further, a state breaks into zones, ranges, and districts. Superintendent of Police officers (SP) leads the District Police Force. An officer with the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) leads a range of districts. Zones comprise two or more ranges, each of which is led by an Inspector General of Police (IG). Further districts divide into sub-divisions such as circles and police stations. A particular rank of officer leads each of these. Similarly, the district police comprise of two branches: civil and armed. Former controls crime and the latter deals with law-and-order issues. The armed branch also serves as the district's reserve police in the event of an emergency.

PRESENT SCENARIO RELATING TO MORAL POLICING IN INDIA

Indian police use violence as a shortcut to justice. It is the poorest who bear the scars. Many states have established a state security commission and a police complaints board to prevent undue interference in police operations and to hear public grievances against the police. However, their performance in recent months has not instilled much faith in the reformations visualized and implemented with such haste.

After all, how would you justify the fact that even today it is difficult for a prudent person to file an F.I.R.? Also, the approval of an F.I.R is subject to much contemplation. An FIR is acknowledged only after a couple of palms are greased or when it turns out to be unavoidable. Even if one is successful in filing an F.I.R., one must wait for an eon before some action takes place. More often than not, no action is even taken unless it relates to a heinous crime. For an investigation to begin or continue in worldly matters, one must frequently travel from pillar to post in search of justice.

The conviction rate for crimes recorded and prosecuted in India remains in the low six to eight percent range. This system pathology has emerged as a result of a recent resurgence of public violence involving pretty crimes and criminals in various parts of the country.[ii] Today's society is desirous for security and a shield for its people and property. Though it is powerless enough to engage in uncivilized methods of delivering quick justice. Act of vandalism and hooliganism by vigilante groups is a common occurrence. A very recent event throws a clear light upon this statement, members of the Sangh Parivar[iii] stormed and destroyed an exhibition including the work of M.S. University fine arts student Chandramohan. He was physically abused and injured by the vigilante group before he was arrested by the police.

The charge levelled against the artist was that he had offended religious sentiments. Again, this highlights the question of how far one can go in defying the law and taking matters into their own hands to satisfy a personal vendetta. Even when the government tries to take a bold step forward with a revolutionary notion to improve society, it often ends up being used as a pretext to harass and coerce the innocent. Because of the significant number of complaints made by women in Uttar Pradesh with the CM's office, the government organized an "anti-Romeo squad" to curb incidents of eve-teasing and crime against women.

However, this decision took an unprecedented turn as the police began assaulting public parks, campuses, roadsides, and even coaching facilities instead of pursuing eve-teasers. As a result, unsuspecting young couples were interrogated and humiliated. Thus, protection of women's modesty in Uttar Pradesh took a backseat as the actions of the Anti-Romeo came to the limelight like its predecessor, 'Operation Majnu' in 2005.

CONCLUSION

It is against this background that we must revamp and restructure our police force to better equip it to face the newer socio-economic realities. We need to not only improve the policing infrastructure and improve the extant workforce deficiencies by the way of more recruitment, but we also need to better sensitize them to bring the organizational ethos in sync with time. To make it big in the Comity of Nations, we must bridge the existing governance deficit. For this, better peace and lawful circumstance is a desideratum.

We must intervene in emergencies to facelift our police to better respond to the complex realities of an ever-changing India. Further, in a free society, citizens deserve to know how the police are protecting them. The public's cooperation is critical for the police to work effectively. This is determined by the level of trust and respect they have for the police forces. Police must recognize that their role in society has changed with time. Conflict resolution and assisting those in need take a much greater amount of time and consideration than dealing with crime and criminals.

[i]Abhinav Jaiswal & Manvi Singh, Moral Policing in India, Volume 1, AIJLMS, 2017, https://amity.edu/UserFiles/aibs/59afArticle-V%20(Page%2050-53).pdf [ii] Saumitra Mohan, Selected Contemporary Essays, 126, McGraw Hill Education (2017) [iii] Srilamanthula Chandramohan vs State of Gujarat, R/CR.MA/16559/2018

*The Author is a 3rd year B.A.LLB law student of Ramaiah Institute of Legal Studies, Bangalore.

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