Re: [silk] Indian Police Restructuring

[Nandkumar Saravade]

The extent of training depends on the level of recruitment.  There are generally four levels at which police recruitments take place in India. The Indian Police Service, through the Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.  Every year about 100 people are recruited through this exam.  The basic training lasts for 26 months and is co-ordinated by the National Police Academy.  (http://www.svpnpa.gov.in/) The state police service, through an examination conducted by the state Public Service Commission.  The training is similar to that of the IPS. Sub-Inspector of Police; exam conducted by the state Public Service.  The training for sl no 2 and 3 is at the state police training academy/college.  (For example, see http://www.punjabpolice.org/PPA/ppa/) Police constables (accounting for 85% of the police force).  This is done by the respective city and district units.  Training is in Police Training Schools at multiple locations in each state.  This can be typically for six months. A good resource for information on Indian police is the CHRI website (http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/publications/police/police_organisations.pdf). It is generally recognised that the basic as well as in-service training in Indian police are grossly deficient.  Sporadic attempts are made to introduce new topics (like gender sensitivity and information technology), but these are not very effective.  The Supreme Court judgement has come as a response to a PIL filed several years ago by Prakash Singh, a retired IPS officer.  It seeks to give effect to the recommendation of the National Police Commission to insulate police working from the deleterious influence of the political executive.  There are, however, many cautioning voices, which say that this is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for improving police reforms.  Some interesting links in this regard are as follows. http://indianexpress.com/story/16052.html http://ajayshahblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/public-goods-of-law-and-order.html http://www.swaminomics.org/et_articles/et20060929.htm Regards Nandkumar Madhu Menon wrote: Just curious (and I know Nandakumar is on this list) about the level of training Indian police officers get. Here's a breakdown of LA Police Academy training, for instance: http://www.joinlapd.com/academy.html In comparison, what are our cops taught?