Politicisation of the police force, manifested in its lack of functional autonomy, is a disturbing reality (“Rebuild India's police forces”, editorial, Sept. 10). Concrete measures to remove the police force from the shackles of ruling politicians are the need of the hour. It is time that the archaic provisions of the Indian Police Act of 1861 are eschewed to make our police force more sensitive to the concerns and grievances of our people.
M. Jeyaram , Sholavandan
Most police personnel are deputed as personal security guards for VIPs, even if the latter face no security threat. In fact, these personal guards have become a status symbol for the VIPs. There should be human resource departments in the State police forces to grade performance so that top-grade personnel are made responsible for intelligence, security and investigations.
J.P. Reddy , Nalgonda
Politicians are superb in denouncing terror attacks but very poor in realising the ground realities. Though the emoluments of police personnel have increased, the weapons and technologies given to them are pre-1990. Police reform bills are gathering dust. Is an Anna Hazare necessary to get them moving too?
Veerendra Pratap Singh , Delhi
The recently-introduced community policing initiative was not implemented well by ground-level personnel for some obvious reasons. Police should be people-friendly and bridge the wide gap with the public. Then they will get more sources for intelligence to nip terrorism in the bud.
M. Karunanithi , Chennai
That the police forces should be reoriented from its colonial role has been talked about ad nauseam since Independence. A number of commissions were appointed and reports submitted, — now gathering dust. The mentality of subservience, a colonial remnant, persists and even educated people are loath to approach the police. It is one of the most corrupt wings of the government and political interference is very high. What is needed is not only more personnel but also a total change in outlook and skills, and insulation from external influences.
G.M. Rama Rao , Gurgaon
The police force must be modernised and made competent to foresee trouble. It is not enough to be alert for a few days after an attack. It must be a 24x7 practice.
P.U. Krishnan , Udhagamandalam
