Starting October 3, The Morung Express is publishing a series, “101 Things You Wanted To Ask About the Police but Were Too Afraid To Ask,” an easy guide to knowing the police better published by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) . An introduction as well as the question 1-2 was published last week. The question 3-7 in the series are given below:
What is meant by police powers?
The police have all sorts of different powers, all of which are given by law, and must use them only according to the procedure laid down in the law. They can make arrests, carry out search and seizures, investigate offences, question witnesses, interrogate suspects, disperse unruly crowds and maintain order in society, but they have to do it strictly in the way the law lays down and not in any other way. They cannot act as they wish or want to. Any abuse of power or negligence of duty will amount to a breach of discipline, civil wrong or a crime a crime and the police officer is liable to be punished.
Is there just one police force in India?
No. Each state has its own police force under the control of the government of that state. So there are many police forces in the country. Police that work in parts of India that are directly under the control of the central government like the capital Delhi, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar Islands come under the control of the central government.
What are the para-military forces?
Paramilitary forces, like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Assam Rifles, the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Security Guard (NSG), are armed policing organisations established by the central government and meant for special duties. They are structured along the lines of the army and thus called para-military. They help the police in counter insurgency operations, anti-terrorist activities or in moments of civil unrest.
Can anyone become a police officer?
Yes, anyone can become a police officer. However, you have to fulfil the conditions and standards laid down for that particular rank. For example, to join as a Constable you need to have at least passed high school. To join as a Sub-Inspector you need to be a graduate.
How can I become a police officer?
There are three levels at which you can join the force. At the state level you can join either as a Constable and go up to Deputy Superintendent of Police or you can join at Sub- Inspector level and get promoted all the way up to Superintendent of Police in charge of a district.
Constables and Sub-Inspectors have to take a written entrance test. If you pass you have to go for a physical test.
If you pass the physical test then you are called for an interview. After the interview, you are expected to undergo a medical check in order to determine whether you are fit. Only after all this is completed are final selections made.
Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on the other hand are recruited at the central level and its ranks begin as either an Additional/Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent of Police.
Check the last week questions here: http://morungexpress.com/chris-things-you-wanted-to-ask-about-the-police-but-were-too-afraid-to-ask/
(To be contd…) Source: The contents for the series is taken from the book titled, “101 Things You Wanted To Ask About the Police but Were Too Afraid To Ask,” written by Navaz Kotwal and Maja Daruwala and published by CHRI, and reproduced with permission. To know more about CHRI’s initiatives and activities, visit: http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/
