Kerala   

Need to improve police-public ties

Not only the Police Act, but the attitude of the police towards the public should be changed. Nowadays, the police treat the public as criminals and most of them extract money from anyone who approaches them. It is true that some good officers are there, but mostly people suffer at the hands of the police. Before implementing a new Act or amending the present Act, the authorities concerned should hold discussions with the public, through residents’ associations, Action Force members, Corporation/Municipality councillors, political leaders, union leaders, MLAs, MPs and other bodies. Calling for the suggestions of the general public and others through newspapers will elicit good response. By holding public debates through media, suggestions of diverse sources can be collected.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

Whatever may be the reforms being contemplated by the government, they all should be aimed at making the police people-friendly. There have recently been revelations in the press that certain elements in the police force are rather criminal-friendly. They are like the proverbial fence that eats the crops, defeating the very purpose they are supposed to serve.

The Kerala Police have a good reputation. However, encounters and lock-up deaths are an indelible blot.

Policemen should get proper remuneration according to local conditions, so that they would not be lured by filthy lucre from anti-social elements and under-world dons. Efficient policemen should be honoured, and erring officials should be properly punished. They should know that power is to protect and not to harass.

In this highly literate state of Kerala, it should be ideal if the minimum qualification for constabulary is fixed as graduation. Education broadens one’s outlook and humaneness.

P.V. Divakaran

Avittathur

I welcome the recommendations of the Police Act Review Committee and suggest the following amendments to the present Act. In the Police Act, vast powers are given to the District Collector who is also the District Magistrate. The Police Force within a district will be under the control and direction of the District Magistrate. Likewise, the District Magistrate is empowered to make laws and issue orders for the preservation of public peace, public safety and for the maintenance of public order. He is given the powers to prohibit mass drill, public processions or assembly. These powers should be vested with the Superintendent of Police so that the SP can take immediate action without waiting for the orders of the District Magistrate during troublesome and riotous situations. The action of the SPs should be properly supervised by the IGs in charge of the range. Since the District Collectors are overburdened with their routine affairs, they might not get enough time to study and deal properly with law and order issues.

Also, the punishments and penalties in the Police Act are too low. For instance, fine for false alarm of fire, certain offences in public places and for riotous and indecent behaviour in public places is just Rs.50; the penalty for drunken and disorderly behaviour in public places is just Rs.200. The amounts of such penalties should be raised to a minimum of Rs.500. The police officers of and above the rank of SIs should be given the powers to compound the petty offences in the Police Act instead of presenting the same before courts which will enable speedy administration of justice.

Abraham Mathew

Ponkunnam

Police Act is said to be prepared by British regime and we are following the same even now, without much difference. Under the Constitution of India, we are free to make changes in the Police Act with the concurrence of the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly is for the people, by the people and of the people. All laws and regulations framed by the government should be for and on behalf of the people. Neither the President of India, nor the Prime Minister, but the people rule the country. Then the people have the right to make laws and rules for them.

In this connection, amending the Police Act is a requirement, as it lacks many a thing for the people. Many people have their own suggestions. This can be codified through the representatives and Home Ministry may present a draft Act to the government, so that necessary discussions can be conducted in the Assembly, before implementing the same. Protection of the State and people is the main duty of the police and this should be the thing in mind when the Police Act is being amended.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Thripunithura

The police form a strong and powerful force in every state. The same is the case in Kerala. The public in Kerala depend on this force for every problem whether big or small. The issues concerning the functioning and responsibilities of an effective police force are many. A few of the key issues which the people of Kerala would like to be discussed and debated while drafting the Police Act are listed below. 1) A well trained staff in all police academies; 2) New recruits should be trained to face any eventuality; 3) The public should be able to approach the police without fear; 4) The police staff should be paid well to avoid corruption in the police circles; 5) Families of the police personnel injured while on duty should be provided necessary facilities; 6) The police should be well trained in road safety. . These changes are bound to improve the bond between the public and the police.

Mary Joshy

Kottayam

Amendment to the Police Act is long awaited. Today, the Police Act and the Criminal Procedure Code are governed by the old British Rule and most of the rules and laws are based on the old British Police Act and Codes. It is true that we were ruled by white people, but after 60 years of Independence, there is no ‘locus standi’ for those rules. Amendments to the Police Act should be made without further delay. In the process, the government should take into account the suggestions of public bodies like the residents’ associations, clubs, community policing activists, etc. A suggestion scheme, which seeks suggestions from the public and rewarding them for good suggestions, is a good idea. Retired police officials, political leaders and local bodies can give good suggestions. The revised Police Act should be public oriented, public friendly and public related. S.N. Panicker

Poonithura

Any statute over a period of time needs pruning, alterations, amendments, cancellations and additions to its clauses to be in tune with the times, and the Kerala Police Act is no exception. That the State government seeks to do it is just as well. The archaic inhuman methods of violent interrogations of criminals at police stations, inflicting physical harm by torture are no more. More scientific methods are adopted to find out the truth. A people-friendly police is the current aim. The police are people’s friends, not enemies, and should act as such.

K.B. Rajagopalan

Chittoor Road

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