The task of injecting more professionalism into the Maharashtra police force is an enormous challenge. The problem may not be one of finding the resources, but primarily one of changing attitudes at the top
There is undeniable euphoria in Maharashtra and elsewhere in the country over the political arrival of Devendra Fadnavis.
Having a bubbly fortysomething on the country’s political scene may not
exactly be a novelty, but what is striking is that Mr. Fadnavis comes
with no baggage that weighs down some others his age already in the
arena and who have professed to make a difference. They either allowed
themselves to be sucked into the quagmire that is Indian public life, or
had not been permitted to perform — even though they possessed the
right pedigree — for reasons other than merit, by individuals or groups
who felt threatened.
The young and the old alike are both ecstatic about the young leader
from Nagpur and have been bowled over by the confidence he exudes and
the promise he holds out in transforming the polity in the whole of
India, especially in one of its more important States, Maharashtra. Mr.
Fadnavis must succeed if we want to bring about a sea change in the
quality of our public administration. In our view, having him as an
example is something that will definitely rub off on others who are
itching to serve the country selflessly.
Politicisation of force
Mr. Fadnavis has the potential to alter the destiny of Maharashtra,
provided he works to a plan. He should remain focussed on governance and
not allow his energies to be dissipated in futile, controversial public
discourses that are easy meat for the Opposition and the media. These
are days of high expectations and no consumer of public service is
willing to wait to be served. The new Maharashtra Chief Minister no
doubt has the supreme advantage of age and a squeaky clean image. This
can however dissolve in no time if he does not organise his priorities
in an intelligent way or if he unwittingly gives elbow room to the
sharks around him.
One of his first moves has been delightfully heartwarming — choosing to keep the Home portfolio to himself.
His predecessors had bartered it away for dubious, external political
support that came with a tag. The recent history of the State is
pockmarked by many unfortunate episodes, which had been the result of
politicisation of the police force. The communal riots of 1992-93, the
Bombay blasts of 1993, 26/11 and other terrorist attacks in Mumbai and
the rest of the State … each stands out for failure or passivity of a
police force that was once noted for its commendable professionalism and
high standards of integrity.
In dissecting what is wrong with the Maharashtra/Mumbai police, Mr.
Fadnavis would greatly benefit from a heart-to-heart chat with a group
of retired police officers known for their integrity and track record in
objective policing. There are indeed several of them in Mumbai
available for an intelligent and pointed debate that we propose as the
very first exercise that the Chief Minister should undertake. Many
former officers are appalled by the lows to which the police have
reached due to widespread corruption and political manipulation that the
force has been subjected to. While this may not be very different from
what it is in many other police forces in the country, in the case of
Mumbai, more than the rest of Maharashtra, the fall has been grievously
steep, leading to unforgivable despondence all around.
Need for merit
We must acknowledge that it is not the venal and unscrupulous politician alone who has to be blamed for this sorry situation. A substantial number of police leaders themselves have been more than willing accomplices in recent years.
We must acknowledge that it is not the venal and unscrupulous politician alone who has to be blamed for this sorry situation. A substantial number of police leaders themselves have been more than willing accomplices in recent years.
Two developments have specifically hurt the Mumbai police the most. The
self-aggrandisement of the Home Department at the cost of professional
police leaders has been colossal. The authority to post even inspectors
to various police stations has been usurped by the mandarins in
Sachivalaya (State Secretariat), thereby emasculating the Commissioner
of Police and destroying the chain of command in a rigid hierarchy that
the police is. Worse still is the sale of prized field jobs to the
highest bidders. There are incredible tales of venality which would make
even the most brazen politician squirm in his seat. Things haven’t
changed despite there being many sane and credible voices. Mr. Fadnavis
has to restore the primacy of police leadership if it has to deliver.
This applies especially to the Mumbai Police Commissioner who should be
appointed on merit. In the recent past, some of the appointments to the
vital job have resulted in disastrous consequences. The Commissioner’s
appointment is fortunately not seniority-driven unlike the DGP’s. So,
the Chief Minister has some flexibility in getting to choose the right
candidate, even if an officer so anointed is relatively junior to others
staking claim to the job solely on the basis of seniority.
A carefully chosen commissioner of police needs enough autonomy to
either perform or perish. Constricting his moves by dictating to him on
whether a procession should be permitted or banned in Mumbai city cannot
be a political decision as is the case now. Remember how a Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena (MNS) procession was banned by the Commissioner in August
21, 2012? Yet, the party went ahead in organising the rally, and no
action was taken against its organisers. Obviously the decision to ban
it was at the instance of the political executive over which the
Commissioner had no say.
Political interference does not stop with postings. It envelops the
recruitment of the constabulary as well. There have been numerous
scandals all over the country that have led to dilution of the quality
of intake. Many men and women who find a place in the final list are
those who have been sponsored either by the Chief Minister or the Home
Minister, and had even ‘paid to be favoured.’ This evil is endemic to
both the Maharashtra and Mumbai Police, bringing disrepute to the whole
process of recruitment.
Restoring credibility
The Central government has been rightly highlighting the need to convert the country into an investor-friendly nation by ensuring a stable public order situation. This cannot happen if India’s financial capital, Mumbai, remains a poorly policed city. A huge investment in technology and processes is called for. Mindless austerity here can cause harm to police standards. Fortunately, there are blueprints available to move things forward. These have remained essentially on paper. There is tremendous talent available within the department to exploit state-of-the-art technology which would sharpen police service to aid victims of crime. What is needed to improve the police image in the city is for swifter professional response to calls for help from citizens in distress and the efficient solving of crime and restoration of stolen property to lawful owners. The Mumbai police have done some creditable work to educate the common man on how to protect himself from crime. There is a case for expanding instruction to the community online as well as through group meetings for citizens. If the new government sends out the message that it will not be statistical in assessing police performance, but would rather go by periodic surveys of community opinion, we can hope to see a free registration of crime, something that would enhance public faith in the police. A crime survey by a non-police agency of the kind that exists in the United States and the United Kingdom will greatly enhance the credibility of the Mumbai police.
The Central government has been rightly highlighting the need to convert the country into an investor-friendly nation by ensuring a stable public order situation. This cannot happen if India’s financial capital, Mumbai, remains a poorly policed city. A huge investment in technology and processes is called for. Mindless austerity here can cause harm to police standards. Fortunately, there are blueprints available to move things forward. These have remained essentially on paper. There is tremendous talent available within the department to exploit state-of-the-art technology which would sharpen police service to aid victims of crime. What is needed to improve the police image in the city is for swifter professional response to calls for help from citizens in distress and the efficient solving of crime and restoration of stolen property to lawful owners. The Mumbai police have done some creditable work to educate the common man on how to protect himself from crime. There is a case for expanding instruction to the community online as well as through group meetings for citizens. If the new government sends out the message that it will not be statistical in assessing police performance, but would rather go by periodic surveys of community opinion, we can hope to see a free registration of crime, something that would enhance public faith in the police. A crime survey by a non-police agency of the kind that exists in the United States and the United Kingdom will greatly enhance the credibility of the Mumbai police.
Housing
Police morale is a very sensitive aspect of police administration. If neglected, it can lead to disastrous consequences, including deliberate non-cooperation by the police at the grass-roots level during a crisis. One crucial area is the provision of more housing for the constabulary. While it is true that hundred per cent satisfaction of the target of required housing units is not possible because of the continual growth of the force, a substantial number of additional tenements each year will help. It may be shocking for outsiders to know that some policemen in the city live cheek by jowl in slums with persons who have a criminal record. If Mr. Fadnavis has to endear himself to the police community, he has to somehow find the money to expand housing for the police.
Police morale is a very sensitive aspect of police administration. If neglected, it can lead to disastrous consequences, including deliberate non-cooperation by the police at the grass-roots level during a crisis. One crucial area is the provision of more housing for the constabulary. While it is true that hundred per cent satisfaction of the target of required housing units is not possible because of the continual growth of the force, a substantial number of additional tenements each year will help. It may be shocking for outsiders to know that some policemen in the city live cheek by jowl in slums with persons who have a criminal record. If Mr. Fadnavis has to endear himself to the police community, he has to somehow find the money to expand housing for the police.
The task of injecting more professionalism into the Mumbai police force
is an enormous challenge. The infrastructure to build on this exists.
The problem may not be one of finding the resources, but primarily one
of changing attitudes, both at Sachivalaya and the police headquarters.
The much bandied about expression these days, “trust deficiency,”
applies very much to the police as well. Mr. Fadnavis can bring about a
change where we have a police force that is trustworthy, provided he
trusts them and gives them enough operational autonomy. We are certain
that he understands that more autonomy for the police does not mean less
accountability.
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