National Police Commission

The National Police Commission India (NPC) was established with broad mandates with an aim to cover the police organisation, its functions, responsibility, roles, connection with the citizens, political meddling in its work, abuse of power, and performance evaluation. The NPC was established with great hopes in exceptional circumstances as the first national commission after India’s independence. 

After the 1977 national elections, the NPC was commissioned by the Janata Party and brought into effect by the Congress Party. Throughout this time, this public administration was being used for political gain. From 1979 to 1981, the Commission issued eight reports proposing extensive reforms to the existing Police structure.

Reasons for the National Police Commission (NPC)

On November 15, 1977, the National Police Commission India was formed with an aim to improve the role and duties of the police. On November 26, 1977, Shri C.V. Narasimhan took over as Member Secretary of the Commission. Its goal was to investigate police issues and develop a thorough national review of the police system. The commission’s terms of the rules and regulations were exceptional, touching on most facets of police enforcement.

Reports of NPC 

The NPC proposed a total of eight reports. Here is everything you need to know about them:

First Report

The first report of the national police commission covers Complaints about police officers. Any setup for reporting concerns against police must be deemed fair by the police and the public administration. As a result, the Commission proposed provisions that included investigations undertaken by departmental officials, including the services of an independent jurisdiction outside of the police. In addition, the Commission recommended mandatory judicial inquiry for some severe complaints and allegations of police officials, including:

• death or severe hurt to a person in police custody.
• rape of a woman in the police custody
• death of more than two individuals due to police firing with dispersing of unlawful gatherings and assemblies 

Second Report

The Appointment of the Criminal Justice Commission is discussed in the Second Report. As per the NPC, the officers cannot accomplish successful results in their work until all wings of the criminal justice system work effectively at the same time. 

As a result, it is necessary to establish a body that would exhaustively evaluate the progress of all departments and implement remedial steps as needed. The report discusses policy responsibilities, political interventions, transfer and suspension orders, and chief police selections.

Third Report

The third report makes recommendations for the police concerning the weaker sections of society. The NPC has suggested that a special investigation department be established in the police force to track the performance of investigations into cases under the Protection of Civil Rights Act and other atrocities against Tribes and Scheduled Caste in this report. The two integral points under this report are:

• Prevention of the possible breaching of public peace and law resulting from the no-action against the alleged complaint about any non-cognizable offence
• To provide adequate protection to the people of a weaker section from injustice and exploitation

Fourth Report

The National Police Commission’s fourth report includes the FIR registration, even if the crime has taken place outside the respective jurisdiction or not. 

• If required, the FIR reports can further be transferred to the concerned police station 
• It is necessary to report the statements of the witnesses and use them as a mandatory record in any investigation
• Returning the stolen property to the victims and empowerment to investigate the simplified cases in the form of compound cases have a special mention in the fourth report of NPC

In the fourth report of the NPC, the intimation for arrest, attendance of a witness, controlled regulations for using third-degree methods, and regular court inspections are the primary notified aspects. 

Fifth Report

This report declares that the recruitment of police officers including constables, to the officers of the Indian Police Services (IPS), must comprise a two-level procedure. 

• In the recruitment process, the psychological testing of the candidates is mandatory at each level
• In addition to this, the regular evaluation of the physical training of the selected candidates is necessary

The report also states that the role and responsibilities of the district magistrate as a chief coordinating authority is to control and direct each activity of police activity in the specific jurisdiction. The reinforcement and inclusion of women’s police authorities in a complex investigation are mentioned in the fifth report of NPC. The fifth report also mentions mandatory transparency in all the police activities except certain secret operations and judicial requirements. 

Sixth Report

The National Police Commission of India’s sixth report mentions assessing officers’ promotion in constant intervals and establishing IPS cadres in paramilitary and other associated organizations. The sixth report notes the police Commissionerate system for specific locations and withdrawal of the trail of certain heinous cases to prevent communal riots should be discouraged in certain situations. It also mentions prior reservations for minorities and weaker sections in the police force to strengthen their position in society. 

Seventh Report

The seventh report mentions the standards and norms of the police station regarding its jurisdiction. The report also mentions the establishment of the Central police Committee, enactment of regulatory laws for armed police forces, and structuring all Indian Police institutes.

Eighth Report

The final report mentions the accountability of the police officials and the withdrawal of protection under specific acts. It elaborates the enactment of the model police act and detailed guidelines for the police to meet requirements. 

Functions and Responsibilities of National Police Commission (NPC)  

The following are the powers and functions of the National Police Service Commission:

• Recruiting and appointing people to hold or act in positions in the police force
• Verify appointments and make decisions about transfers and promotions within the NPC 
• Undertake any other duties mandated by national legislation
• Maintain disciplinary control and eliminate individuals holding or responding in positions within the service while adhering to due process
• To investigate police discrepancies and unevenness, as well as to supervise police entrance exams

Conclusion

The commission’s guidelines were remarkable, striking on all the perspective of police tactics. The main purpose behind the formation of the NCP was to eliminate the shortcomings and political interferences in the policing system of India. Whether it has done its job or not, only time will tell.