Police

Introduction

The Constitution of India provides for a legislative and executive division of powers between centres and states. As per this division, police are a subject governed by states.

Role of Police: With respect to the police, the Centre and States have the following roles:

• State Government 

• In States, police forces are primarily in charge of local issues. For example, crime prevention and investigation and maintaining law and order. 
• In case of more fierce internal security challenges like terrorist incidents or insurgency-related violence, they also provide the first response. For example: Response of Mumbai police during Taj Attack. Therefore, each state in India has established its own police force.

• Central Government 

• The central police forces are better equipped to deal with high-intensity difficulties that result in widespread insecurity. 
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), for example, is better equipped and prepared to put down large-scale disturbances with few casualties. 
• The central forces also help the Defence forces, particularly with border security. The Union Territories are directly governed by the Central Government, which also performs police services. 
• The Central government also assists states in acquiring intelligence and providing financial resources to modernise police units. 
• In addition, the Centre maintains seven central police forces and other police organisations to help states maintain law and order. 
• They’re set up to do specialised jobs like intelligence collecting, investigation, research, record-keeping, and training, among other things.

Training Academies 

• There are two key national training academies established by the central government: 
• The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad: It is entrusted with conducting training courses for IPS officers, whether new recruits or in-service officers and for those who are trainers in various police training institutions. 
• The North-eastern Police Academy is situated in Meghalaya and is responsible for training police officers of the north-eastern states.

Indian Police Service (IPS) 

• The Indian Police Service (IPS), together with the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Forest Service, is one of the All-India Services established under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution. 
• The All-India character of the IPS officers gives its members a unique advantage in handling specific issues of the States so that national unity and integrity can be maintained. 
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal authority in respect of IPS officers and is responsible for all policy decisions related to the service, including cadre structure, training, cadre allocation, and clerical work.