Money, equipment and bulging numbers do not modernize or improve efficiency of a police force. Training and motivation are the key elements that distinguish between an efficient force in uniform and huge squads of lathi wielding shabbily dressed men with big pot bellies.

Society gets the police it deserves, is an adage that appears to be fast losing its relevance. Times have changed. So have societies. They say change is the only thing that is permanent. Police have changed but not to the expectations of the population at large. People still view men in uniform as aggressors and not law enforcers. It is one reason that even politicians at times would demand investigations of cases hawking media headlines by central agencies, including CBI, and not by their own “efficient and modernized State police forces.” Why? Why State police forces in general and Punjab Police in particular, have been targets of criticism. Are the police forces acting at the behest of their political bosses rather than abiding by the mandate given to them by the law of the land? Or something else is ailing the police?

Reasons may be many.

Growing awareness about human rights in general and the right to live a decent life in particular have put law enforcement agencies on the backfoot. There is growing criticism for inept handling of cases that hawk media headlines. Of late, Punjab police have been at the receiving end. Its unending battle against growing drug menace, gangsterism, extremism, religious sensitives and mafias controlling licensed supplies has greatly impacted its credibility. Of late, the Amritpal Singh case has not only put it in a tight spot but also raised serious doubts about its capabilities of apprehending offenders of law, leave aside gangsters, ultras and fugitives.

What is wrong with Punjab Police? Top heavy law enforcement agency with an active strength of 80,000 plus appears to be fighting a battle for credibility as Amritpal Singh and his accomplice escaped its planned dragnet on March 18. Since then, it has come out with various theories, amusing stories and corroboratory CCTV footages. Its investigations are leading nowhere. Also failed is the intelligence network. Equally intriguing is the role of central police forces and intelligence agencies, who too, have been on the trail of Amritpal Singh and other members of his infamous Waris Punjab De group.

There was a time when the police complained of antiquated weaponry, worn out vehicles, dilapidated buildings housing police stations, poor communication networks and lack of training in handling the changing face of crime.

But that is history. Punjab Police has been one of the major beneficiaries of modernization of police force initiative of the Union Government. The State was flushed with money, vehicles, gadgets as new buildings were built for police stations, new training centers, including those of anti-terror and cybercrime, were set up. New commando squads were raised, and the States were also financially assisted in raising the State Armed Reserve Battalions. Double barrel guns were replaced by self-loading rifles and assault weapons. Latest telecommunication was added to the police network to enhance its detection capabilities. Money, equipment and bulging numbers do not modernize or improve efficiency of a police force.

Training and motivation are the key elements that distinguish between an efficient force in uniform and huge squads of lathi wielding shabbily dressed men with big pot bellies. Training of police has always remained a highly debatable subject.

(The author is a senior journalist)
To be concluded