The Alarming State of Policing: Officer Justifications, Accountability, and Reform Needs

A report by Common Cause NGO highlights severe issues in policing, pointing out widespread justification of torture and inadequate adherence to arrest protocols among police. Surveys indicate alarming beliefs among officers regarding the use of force. Calls for accountability and reforms echo the serious need for addressing these systemic issues.

A recent report underlines pressing concerns within India's policing framework, citing a significant endorsement of violent tactics among officers. Released by Common Cause NGO, in collaboration with the Lokniti Programme at CSDS, the study reveals a growing acceptance of torture and a lax attitude towards arrest protocols among authorities.

Veteran law enforcement professionals call for nuanced understanding, citing the complexities faced when dealing with crimes. Nevertheless, public voices stress the urgency for introducing accountability systems rather than mere police reforms, arguing for a shift away from political alignments to focus on consistent law and order.

Discrepancies in reporting custodial deaths and officers' alarming beliefs about force underscore a grim situation. The systematic justification of unethical practices calls for immediate reforms to tackle the entrenched misuse of power within police ranks.

(With inputs from agencies.)