Police Function and Responsibilities

MOTIHARI POLICE : FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 The Criminal justice system deals with enforcing the law throughout the nation, preserving peace and harmony, and dealing with criminal activities. Amongst all the components of the criminal justice system, the police are regarded as the central authority of the justice system. Police are one of the most ubiquitous organizations of the society. The police are expected to be the most accessible, interactive and dynamic organization of any society. As per General Responsibilities, The police as a system performs tasks related to: the protection of life and property and the preservation of the public peace and order; the enforcement of Federal State and local laws; and the control and direction of vehicular traffic.

Legislative Framework Regulating Police in India

• THE POLICE ACT, 1861- The Police Act,1861 is regarded as the primary piece of legislation controlling all facets of Indian law enforcement. It is the primary legislation and covers statewide police administration in its entirety. The number of officers or men engaged in the police, as per Section 2 of the Act, should be periodically determined by the appropriate state government and shall be properly enrolled. The District Superintended of police acting on the orders of the District Magistrate, is in charge of administering the district under Section 4 of the Act, while the Director-General of Police oversees the full operation of the state’s police force.
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• THE POLICE ACT,1888– The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, create a special police district encompassing parts of two or more States, and extend to every part of the said district the powers and jurisdiction of members of a police force belonging to a State specified in the notification this was stated in Section 2 of this act.
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• THE POLICE ACT, 1949-The administration of the police force in Union Territories has been outlined in this Act. Section 5 of the Act states that the Central Government oversees the police in every general police district. For the management of the police in UTs, the sections of The Police Act, 1861, are applicable.
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• THE DELHI SPECIAL POLICE ESTABLISHMENT ACT, 1946– This act has been crucial to how police officers carry out their duties. It establishes a special police force in Delhi, and with the cooperation of the relevant State Governments, this organization may also incorporate or support the police of other states.
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• THE MODEL POLICE ACT, 2006- This Act lays down the constitution, appointment, powers, role, and responsibilities of police officers.

 

 

Role of Police in the Criminal Justice System

Numerous functions are played by police in the criminal justice system. In today’s world without a robust police force, the operation of the system is unimaginable .Police detain alleged offenders and lawbreakers. They are taken into custody and brought before the trial court to prevent the corrupt officials’ wrongdoings. Through this procedure, the police are attempting to put a stop to criminal activity. Bringing criminal activity to justice is another crucial function of the police.

 

Sections 154 to176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure give police the authority to conduct criminal investigations. When the investigation is finished, the police must submit an indictment for prosecution or a final report for public distribution. A person who is knowledgeable of the case’s facts and circumstances can be verbally questioned by a police officer.

 

The Code of Criminal Procedure’s Sections 61 and 167 provide for police interrogation. A person who is held without a warrant shall be examined under section 61 within 24 hours, or section 167 within 15 days, if not. Finding the facts underlying the crime’s behavior is another crucial responsibility for the police. The police play extremely important responsibilities in stopping and seizing.

 

The manner and process of search and seizure are covered in Sections 96 to 105 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The police should adhere to just and reasonable rules when conducting searches and seizures. This task may be carried out by the police with or without a warrant. A police officer complies with his duty to report an occurrence to a person who has committed suicide, died without cause, was the victim of a homicide, or passed away unexpectedly.

 

 

Motihari Police responsibilities include:

1. Investigation related responsibilities : 

1. Conducts preliminary or complete investigations.
2.    
3. Locates and questions witnesses and potential witnesses.
4.    
5. Identifies suspects through records and pictures.
6.    
7. Studies background, rap sheet, and MO of suspects prior to interrogations.
8.    
9. Interrogates suspects in the field; takes statements or depositions.
10.    
11. Serves search warrants and searches premises or property.
12.    
13. Sketches crime scene and records measurements.
14.    
15. Marks physical evidence for later identification; sends evidence to lab for analysis; takes custody of stolen or lost property
16.    
17. Investigating crimes and apprehending suspected law violators
18.    
19. Conduct initial investigations
20.    
21. Gather evidence and ensure successful prosecutions
22.    
23. Conducts preliminary & follow-up criminal and traffic investigations
24.    
25. Conducts interviews

2. Crime prevention and preservation of peace and security related responsibilties:

1. Deterring crimes and assure community through high-visibility policing
2.    
3. gast and patrolling, including nakabandi, performing picket and ambush jobs, checking vehicles and frisking passengers
4.    
5. surveillance and checking of bad characters
6.    
7. preventive arrests
8.    
9. collection and transmission of criminal intelligence

 

3. social order Maintainence related responsibilties

1. Patrolling assigned areas and monitor activities to protect people/property
2.    
3. Follow rules, guidelines and protocols
4.    
5. Protects life and property through the enforcement of laws & regulations; Proactively patrols assigned areas
6.    
7. Responds to calls for police service

 

4. Crime detection related responsibilties:

1. collection of information/intelligence about criminals of various types and taking notes from the CIG.
2.    
3. Creation of mukhbirs/informers and creating contacts with the members of criminal tribes and other segments of society so as to obtain useful information with regard to the detection of various property and other offences like murder, dacoity, robbery etc.

 

5. Intelligence Collection related responsibilities :

1. any incident of law and order
2.    
3. political activities
4.    
5. labour activities
6.    
7. student activities and agitations thereof
8.    
9. communal tensions and events
10.    
11. employees’ associations and strikes by them
12.    
13. criminal activities
14.    
15. miscellaneous activities and events tending to destroy peace and tranquility.

 

6. Maintenance of Police Records related responsibilties:

1. proper handling of the record
2.    
3. upkeep and maintenance of the record
4.    
5. preparation, destruction, revision and modification of the record of various police units
6.    
7. Produce internal reports and provide feedback on case status
8.    
9. Deal with case paperwork and administrative procedures
10.    
11. Prepares written reports and field notes of investigations and patrol activities

 

 

7. Assistance to other departments, this would include assistance to

1. The education department during examinations, students, and employees’ strikes and other situations of disorder,
2.    
3. The revenue department and loaning organizations for recovery of loans revenue collection etc.,
4.    
5. The departments like banks and municipalities for guards etc for the removal of encroachments etc, and
6.    
7. The other departments as and when the need arises.

8. Maintains equipment:

1. Reports any malfunction to assigned vehicle.
2.    
3. Provides assigned vehicle for routine maintenance on schedule.
4.    
5. Keeps uniform and accessories in good condition.
6.    
7. Services and fires issued weapons as necessary to maintain good condition

 

9. Community policing duties: 

community policing- Foster good public relationships and liaise with community groups or individuals- Takes an active role in Community Oriented Policing on campus

 

1. Patrols assigned neighborhood on foot or in a patrol car on daily shift.
2.    
3. Answers calls for assistance; assists disabled or stranded motorists or citizens in various ways, including changing tires or pushing vehicles.
4.    
5. Checks doors and windows and examines premises of occupied and unoccupied buildings and residences to detect and investigate suspicious conditions; identifies crime and disorder related problems; analyzes problems and develops responses to eliminate or minimize the problem; successfully carries out problem responses; identifies and activates available resources.
6.    
7. Responds to alarm systems for signs of unlawful entry.
8.    
9. Investigates complaints of family disputes and public disturbances and restores or maintains order, using physical force if necessary.
10.    
11. Checks vehicles against stolen vehicle reports.
12.    
13. Serves as a public relations liaison between the citizens and the Police Department; attends neighborhood association and other organizations’ meetings to answer questions and provide information relating to police events and departmental responses; communicates frequently with citizens in assigned areas to get information and evidence regarding problems and concerns; assists citizens in finding solutions to problems; advises citizens on crime prevention and self protection methods.
14.    
15. Collaborates with other governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals to resolve problems; prepares crime information maps and provides prevention techniques for utilization by neighborhood watch groups and others.

 

10. Miscellaneous duties and functions

1. ceremonial duties
2.    
3. discharging regulatory duties and regulation of traffic and traffic management duties. Monitoring and promoting road safety
4.    
5. comprehension of the norms of loyalty, commitment, neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of one’s functions
6.    
7. obligation and commitment to the Govt. and to the police organization
8.    
9. contribution of constables during anti-dacoity operations, raids, emergencies, rounding up of and controlling of goonda and anti-social elements.
10.    
11. Stopping illegal constructions and frauds
12.    
13. Emergency management-

• Observe and respond to various situations or emergencies
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• Performing and coordinating search and rescue operation  
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• Coordinate operations with other emergency services

 

 

What ought to be (As responsible Police-man/woman) :-

1. Proven working experience in law enforcement
2.    
3. Proficiency in using police equipment
4.    
5. Excellent knowledge of standard operating procedures, judicial procedures, civil and constitutional laws
6.    
7. Working knowledge of interrogation techniques and scene management
8.    
9. Knowledge and skills of law enforcement principles and practices
10.    
11. Adequate interpersonal and communication skills
12.    
13. Ability to build effective working relationships
14.    
15. Sound judgement along with effective decision making skills
16.    
17. Conflict resolutions and problem solving skills
18.    
19. Responsibility, dependability, honesty and integrity

 

   

• The police must bear faithful allegiance to the Constitution of India and respect and uphold the rights of the citizens guaranteed by it.

 

   

• The police should not question the propriety or necessity of any law duly enacted. They should enforce the law firmly and impartially, without fear of favour, malice or vindictiveness.

 

   

• The police should recognize and respect the limitations of their powers and functions. They should not usurp or even seem to usurp the functions of the judiciary and sit in judgment on cases to avenge individuals and punish the guilty.

 

   

• In securing the observance of law or in maintaining order, the police should, as far as practicable, use the methods of persuasion, advice and warning. When the application of force becomes inevitable, only the bare minimum of force required in the circumstances should be used.

 

   

• The prime duty of the police is to prevent crime and disorder and the police must recognize that the test of their efficiency is the absence of both and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

 

   

• The police must recognize that they are members of the public, with the only difference that in the interest of the society and on its behalf they are employed to give full time attention to duties which are normally incumbent on every citizen to perform.

 

   

• The police should realize that the efficient performance of their duties would be dependent on the extent of ready cooperation that they receive from the public. This, in turn, will depend on their ability to secure public approval of their conduct and actions and to earn and retain public respect and confidence.

 

   

• The police should always keep the welfare of the people in mind and be sympathetic and considerate towards them. They should always be ready to offer individual service and friendship and render necessary assistance to all without regard to their wealth or social standing.

 

   

• The police should always place duty before self, should remain calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule, and should be ready to sacrifice their lives in protecting those of others.

 

   

• The police should always be courteous and well mannered; they should be dependable and impartial; they should possess dignity and courage; and should cultivate character and the trust of the people.

 

   

• Integrity of the highest order is the fundamental basis of the prestige of the police. Recognizing this, the police must keep their private lives scrupulously clean, develop self-restraint and be truthful and honest in thought and deed, in both personal and official life, so that the public may regard them as exemplary citizens. The police should recognize that their full utility to the State is best ensured only by maintaining a high standard of discipline, faithful performance of duties in accordance with law and implicit obedience to the lawful directions of commanding ranks and absolute loyalty to the force and by keeping themselves in a state of constant training and preparedness.

 

   

•  As members of a secular, democratic State, the police should strive continually to rise above personal prejudices and promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, derogatory to the dignity of women and disadvantaged Linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices segments of the society.