Police and Public Relations

Ashim Bhuyan

(bhuyanashim@yahoo.com)

In today’s modern world, policing is an important part of public, and even private, lives of citizens, across the globe. With increasing tendency of crimes, and newer versions of crime, in physical, cyber or some other forms, emerging every other day, policing has become very pervasive, and many times, intrusive. Modern societies and communities, specially the urban ones, have not been able to enforce certain level of security among its members, voluntarily or otherwise, and therefore, police organizations have become essential features of modern times.

India is a big country, with a bigger population, with diversities, in terms of income, prosperity, economic development, regional and financial inequalities, language, cultures, habits, etc., visible every few miles, giving potentially inherent issues of contradictions. The spirit of pre-independence era policing seems to continue even today in India, even after more than 71 years of freedom from British rule. A certain level of distrust continues between the public and the police in general, a fact very few would deny. The citizens, in almost in every nook and corner of the country, have certain level of scepticism and not so positive perception about the Police, and Police Officials, especially those in the lower hierarchy of the Police. Unfortunately, mostly, it is the lower level of the Police that are the touch points for the public, and the experience perception for citizens. And not much effort seems to have been made to improve the public image of the Police force, in almost in each place. The prevailing culture among the Police and its Officials is not helping too. There is a sense that the Police feel that it, that is the Police, should prevail over the Public, as it embodies the law.

However, it must be remembered that the trust by the public on the Police is critical, and is an important factor for cohesiveness in the society. If the public at large perceive the action of police as legitimate, there is increased possibility of the citizens adhering to the law and the legal framework that contribute to lesser confrontations and minimization of law and order issues. Certain factors, or rather lack of these, contribute to the not so cordial relationship between the Public and the Police. These issues can broadly be identified as : perceived corruption in Police ranks ( a fact that is proved by facts and figures time and again), responsiveness, accountability, transparency, equality, sensitivity, discrimination, communication (specially the verbal ones), fairness, etc.

Not everyone in the Police is corrupt. There are many honest and dignified policemen. However, at the ground level, corruption is a huge issue. There is a predominant sense that things do not happen without bribing the Police, and one can get away with any crime by greasing the palms of the police personnel. Of course, there are pockets where this may be contrary. In many places, incorrigible systems are developed for the bribing process to thrive. Many illegal activities are carried on in broad daylight because of these. Everyone knows, but none seems to act, and take remedial measures. The police are perceived to be in nexus with the baddy elements, including notorious politicians, criminals, law-breakers, etc.

Discrimination by the Police is another big issue hurting the sentiments of the people. The rich and the mighty get favours, whereas the common men suffer, even when they are innocent. The law seem to punish the weak, and the poor man has nowhere to go, except to suffer silently.

The perception of inadequate transparency is a huge challenge for the Police force. Coupled with lack of fairness in police action and enforcement of the law gives rise to issues of mistrust, and even confrontation, between the Police and the citizens.

There is an impregnable perception that Police, by and large, follow the political dispensation, and get enamoured by incentives and disincentives on offer, either direct or indirect. The recent incidents in some States add enough credibility to such thoughts. In Assam too, this continues to haunt the men in Khaki. Citizens in Assam tend to avoid the Police, especially as individuals, though there is handsome number of instances where the Police was the target of public ire, including incidents of police stations being attacked, and damaged.

Further, there are issues related to ability and skills of the Police force, especially those in the ranks. Competency of the Police is often questioned. Police accountability is a serious issue, and there are regular instances of harassment, and even death in custody. The rotten eggs in the Police appear to get unpunished. It is widely perceived that the police is brazen, and emboldened by statutory powers, is high handed. This is more visible in non-city areas.

Police reforms are necessity in the fast changing Indian landscape. Police reforms were suggested by various committees and commissions formed by the Governments at the Centre, and in the States. However, for decades, dust is gathering on these reports and recommendations. Several Governments have changed at the Centre, but nothing visible has changed. It appears that the political parties, across party lines, are less interested in Police becoming a strong institution in the democratic set-up. Each ruling establishment tend to use the Police for its convenience.

It is abundantly clear that if certain issues are not addressed on an urgent basis, the confrontation between Police and the Public would continue, with possibility for escalation of the same. Some can be addressed by the Police itself, and while in others, support of the Government would be required, financially, administrative acumen or otherwise. A few issues that Police itself can address include sensitivity about the public of diverse background and situations, accountability of actions, fairness, etc.

Community policing is a great mechanism by which the relations between the public and the police can improve, and strengthen. Community policing was initiated in Assam long years back, but it needs to be more visible. Community policing can address many common yet serious community and social issues: child and woman safety, transportation of school children, domestic violence, traffic challenges, and neighbourhood issues. The Police Officials must be properly equipped with proper attitude and skills to handle Community Policing. Community policing would also make public and police understand each other better. Police Officials, especially those dealing with the public regularly, must realize that they are part of the Society, and the society has empowered them. Citizens should be encouraged to participate.

Government should support for better working conditions for police, including better working hours and living conditions, and enforce accountability, fairness and transparency. It is in the interest of the Citizens and the State that Police forces should be developed as an institution.