Supreme Court Directives on Police Reform

Introduction

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court in September 2006 had directed all states and Union Territories to bring in police reforms.

Seven Main Directives of Supreme Court on Police Reform:

• Constitute a State Security Commission (SSC) to evaluate the performance of the state police so that unwarranted influence or pressure on the police from state governments can be minimised. 
• Fixed two-year tenure of DGP. 
• The two-year term for SPs and SHOs. 
• Separate law and order from investigation functions. 
• Establish Police Establishment Board (PEB) to decide postings, transfers, promotions and other service-related matters of police officers of and below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. 
• Establish National Security Commission (NSC) at the union level to prepare a panel for the selection and placement of Chiefs of the Central Police organisations (CPO).
• Establish Police Complaints Authority (PCA) at the state level to inquire into public complaints against police officers of and above the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police in cases of serious misconduct.

Implementation:

• According to the NITI Aayog Report (2016), State Security Commissions have been established in all states, and UTs (excluding Telangana) and Police Establishment Boards have been established in all states except Jammu & Kashmir and Odisha.