Police Reforms: India
Police Reforms: Too Important to Neglect, Too Urgent to Delay

National Workshop: A People's Campaign for Better Policing
New Delhi - April 27-28, 2007

On the 27th and 28th of April 2007, CHRI facilitated a national workshop in New Delhi on the implementation of and compliance with the Supreme Court directives on police reform. Over 60 representatives from states such as Orissa, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Bihar and Tamil Nadu attended the workshop, which was dubbed as "A People's Campaign for Better Policing". Delegates hailed from across government, civil society, media, human rights institutions and police organisations and met to discuss and debate the nature of police reform. The workshop comes at a critical time for police reform in India, as state governments scramble to pass new laws and make reform a reality, in line with directions given by the Supreme Court late last year.

The workshop provided delegates with the opportunity to plan for higher levels of accountability and civil society engagement in the police reform process. CHRI Director Maja Daruwala stated, "many police have objected to the implementation of the Supreme Court Directives, as they claim that there are already too many accountability mechanisms and bodies. The problem is that the internal disciplinary mechanisms used within the Indian Police Service are not the kinds that have the confidence and trust of the public. Every accountability mechanism that has been attempted thus far has been captured or subverted. The challenge of creating more accountability bodies and mechanisms is an issue that has to be discussed and attempts made to collectively address."

Over two days, delegates considered the challenges facing policing in India, how the Supreme Court Directives address these challenges and the varied responses of state governments. Participants engaged in intensive analysis and debate around the different approaches to reform, and discussed how tangible, positive change can be implemented at an everyday, street policing level. Participants proposed several points of action. They called for the increased mobilisation and awareness of community policing systems, recognition of the fact that Indian traditional institutions continue to play an important role in policing issues and reiterated that the reform process should be more consultative and participatory. Delegates also agreed that they would make a strong public commitment to working towards policing that upholds human rights and democratic norms and values.

The program for the 2007 Indian National Workshop can be found here, while the press release can be accessed here.

For any further information regarding CHRI's work on police reform in India please contact Navaz Kotwal