Police to get sharper teeth with reforms

Policing in the Delhi will see a radical change if proposals in the Delhi Police (Amendment) Bill 2010 are passed. From having a people-friendly ambience at police stations to a fixed tenure of at least two years for the Police Commissioner, the amendments will change the force’s functioning.

Policing in the Delhi will see a radical change if proposals in the Delhi Police (Amendment) Bill 2010 are passed. From having a people-friendly ambience at police stations to a fixed tenure of at least two years for the Police Commissioner, the amendments will change the force’s functioning.

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No general policing

The Bill clearly states that specialised units such as the Crime Branch and Special Cell of the Delhi Police cannot be used for general policing.

“Separate investigation units like the Crime Branch, Economic Offences Wing will be exclusive investigation and crime detection units. Staff from these units shall not be ordinarily diverted for law and order duties, except with approval of the Commissioner of Police,” states the Bill.

Former Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma, part of the panel that suggested these reforms, said: “The Special Cell and Crime Branch are specialised units with limited officers and should be deployed only for cases that are cut out for them.”

Fixed tenure

Till now, there was no fixed tenure of the Commissioner of Police or his subordinates. If the bill is passed, then a CP will enjoy a tenure of at least two years. Likewise, the DCPs and the SHOs will get to serve at least a year in their area.

“Certain officers such as the DCPs and SHOs need a certain amount of time to understand the environment and take strong steps to dispense justice. A fixed tenure will not only provide these officers with the requisite amount to dole out better justice, but also the liberty to examine each case to the best of their ability regardless of what their senior officers will,” said Amod Kanth, former senior police officer.