[ad_1]
Friday namaz events are often held in open spaces because mosques are overcrowded because they are supposed to be held in groups. Friday prayers are mostly held at designated locations, which are given long-term permission by the authorities. It was not clear whether Delhi Police granted such permission last week. If not, then the police have the authority to ask Namazi people to evacuate the road. However, the manner in which the officer behaved toward a peacefully praying congregation was provocative and entirely unlawful. He should be humane and tactful rather than violently beating and slapping them. He could have let them finish their prayers and then spoke to community leaders to avoid similar gatherings in the future.
The sub-inspector’s escapades confirm that the Indian police force has become highly communalized and politicized. This attitude was also reflected in the way the Uttar Pradesh police treated Muslims during the anti-CAA-NRC protests in 2019, and the Delhi police’s treatment of JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia students after the 2020 communal riots. The saving grace this time was prompt action to prevent the situation from escalating.
Although Sub-Inspector Tomar has been suspended, a lot more needs to be done by the Delhi Police top brass to eradicate the virus of regionalism that has taken root in the minds of the police.
Also read: Indian police need to stop policing women’s choices
leadership responsibilities
This incident is a sad reflection of the poor state of training of police personnel and overall management of the force. This escapade is also likely due to the force being overworked, partly due to the nature of policing but mostly due to severe understaffing. India’s approved police strength from the outset was 193 police officers per 100,000 citizens, well below the 222 police recommended by the United Nations. Due to vacancies, the actual number is even lower at 153 (as of 2023).
Not only does this adversely affect the efficiency of the force, it also disrupts the work-life balance of the average police officer, leading to low morale and erratic behaviour. In addition to the limited funds available, the political administration responsible for filling vacancies has its own priorities. Some states continue to postpone this important activity until election time, treating recruitment as an election issue. But this idea also has its drawbacks, as the failure of the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment drive shows.
In fact, resources for modernization, infrastructure and armament must be provided by the political administration. However, the tendency of police leadership to blame politicians for all ills is intellectual laziness and demonstrates an unwillingness to improve the system from within. They cannot use this as an excuse to avoid responsibility.
A lot of labor is wasted on non-essential tasks. Senior police officers could be seen walking around with a large security force. Some lower-ranking police officers are also switching from policing duties to housework in seniors’ residences. This must change.
Also read: Prime Minister Modi wants India to move away from its colonial past.He should start by reforming the police
train police sir
Police leaders have the power to ensure that the recruitment process is fully transparent. They must ensure that only people with a humane attitude are recruited. This can be ensured by having psychologists on recruitment boards, which will ensure that those with a criminal and community mentality are not able to join the force.
Police training is entirely the responsibility of the police leadership. There is no room for politicians to interfere here. In addition to focusing on physical fitness and imparting legal and investigative knowledge, police training must also focus on developing soft skills and developing an attitude of empathy. Radical approaches must give way to more person-centred training aimed at bringing about behavioral change.
Unfortunately, unlike the defense and central armed forces, training institute jobs are not popular in the police department. Even special incentives, such as substantial instructor stipends, cannot motivate police personnel to choose such positions. Police leadership must set an example by hand-selecting such assignments and identifying those with the ability to mentor for such positions.
Leadership must prioritize improving the living and working conditions of police officers within the budget. The lack of appropriate facilities, especially in remote areas, can cause frustration among police officers, which manifests itself in aggressive behavior towards members of the public. No amount of modern equipment will have any impact on policing standards unless the officers on the scene are happy and satisfied.
Effective policing is the first step to creating a safe, crime-free and just society. Police leadership plays an extremely important role in ensuring this. We must proactively change the concept of the police from exploiters to facilitators, and transform the nature of the police into “service” rather than “violence.”
A wise man once said: “Organizations die not because of external pressure, but because of internal decay.” The onus is on leadership to turn things around and prevent the police force from further weakening.
Sanjiv Krishan Sood is Additional Director General (Retired), BSF. He tweets @sood_2. Opinions expressed are purely personal.
(Editing by Trace Sudeep)
Show full text
[ad_2]
Source link