JUSTICE AND PEACE

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE are prevention and detection of crime, maintenance of law and order, apprehension of offenders, escorting and guarding of prisoners, treasure or private or public property of which they may be placed in charge, and the prosecution of criminals. They have, however, various other duties to perform, such as control of traffic, service of summonses and warrants in criminal cases, destruction of stray dogs, inspection of explosives and poison shops and extinguishing fires. Among their miscellaneous duties are giving aid to displaced persons and pilgrims, verification of character, making passports and naturalisation inquiries etc.

Organisation.

Under section 4 of the Bombay Police Act (XXII of 1951) superintendence of the police force throughout the State vests in and is exercisable by the State Government. In exercise of the powers under section 6 of the said Act, the State Government appoints an Inspector-General of Police for the direction and supervision of the police force of which he is the head. His headquarters are at Bombay. It is his province to watch over the recruitment, education, housing and equipment of the police force and to regulate the internal organisation and method of its working. He is assisted in his office by two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (officers of the rank of District Superintendent of Police).

For the purpose of administration, Maharashtra State has been divided into four Police Ranges, each in charge of a Deputy Inspector-General besides Greater Bombay. They correspond with the four divisions for which Divisional Commissioners have been appointed. In Greater Bombay, the Commissioner of Police, who is second in the police hierarchy, is in charge of the City Police Force. The State C. I. D. is under the control of an officer of the rank of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Similarly the State Reserve Police Force Groups and Police Training Schools are in charge of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Headquarters. Each range in the State is divided into districts, each corresponding to the revenue district, and is in charge of a District Superintendent of Police. Under section 17 (1) of the Bombay Police Act, the District Magistrate has control over the District Superintendent of Police and the police force of a district and decides the questions of policy and of the administration of law within the district, but he does not interfere in recruitment, internal economy or organisation of the district force.

The District Superintendent of Police is the executive head of the police force in the district. His primary duties are to keep the force under his control properly trained, efficient and contented and to ensure by constant supervision that prevention, investigation and detection of crime in the district are properly and efficiently dealt with by the force.

Each district is divided into sub-divisions, which number from two to three in a district. Each sub-division is in charge of an officer of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police who is responsible for all crime work in his charge. Under the general orders of the Superintendent, he is responsible for the efficiency and discipline of the officers and men in his division. He has to hold detailed inspections of police stations and outposts in his charge at regular intervals.

Each sub-division has one or more Inspectors. The Inspectors are employed entirely on crime work and keeping an eye on bad characters and gangs in their circles. Supervision and co-ordination of crime work of the different police stations in their circles are also entrusted to them.

At district headquarters, the District Superintendent of Police is assisted by an Inspector who is designated as Home Inspector. He is the Personal Assistant to the District Superintendent. He supervises the work of the Superintendent's office at headquarters during the absence of the Superintendent and the Sub-Divisional Officer. He also does all the routine work at the headquarters for the District Superintendent of Police. Besides in bigger districts there are inspectors for local intelligence and local crime branches.

Each district is divided into a number of police stations. A Sub-Inspector of Police is in charge of a police station. He is responsible for prevention and detection of crime and for seeing that orders of his superiors are carried out and discipline of the police under him is properly maintained. He has under him head constables and constables. The head constables are to report to the Sub-Inspector all crimes in their beats and to assist him in the investigation and detection of crime. When in charge of a particular post or circle of villages, the head constable acts in all police matters in close collaboration with the heads of the village police. When attached to the police station, he holds charge in the absence of the Sub-Inspector and looks to all routine work including investigation of crime. The constable performs such duties as they may be ordered to by the head constables and superior officers.

Railway police Force.

The control and administration of the railway police is vested in the Superintendent of Railway Police Force who have a parallel organisation on the lines of district police. For administrative purposes the railways falling within the Maharashtra State have been divided into three special railway districts, viz., Central and Southern Railways, Western Railways and Central and South-Eastern Railways. The Railway Superintendents of Police in the State have their headquarters at Poona, Bombay and Nagpur. The railways in the district come under the jurisdiction of Superintendent of Police, Central and Southern Railways, Poona, who functions under the control and supervision of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Poona Range and the Inspector-General of Police.

Anti-Corruption and Prohibition Intelligence Bureau.

With a view to eradicate the evil of corruption and for a more effective implementation of the prohibition policy of Government, the Anti-Corruption and Prohibition Intelligence Force has been created under the control of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Anti-Corruption and Prohibition Intelligence, designated as Director, Anti-Corruption and Prohibition Intelligence Bureau, Maharashtra State, Bombay. In every district at least one Sub-Inspector of Police of this force is stationed. Corresponding to the four ranges in the mofussil, there are four units of this force with headquarters at Bombay, Poona, Aurangabad and Nagpur, each in charge of a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The unit for Greater Bombay is in charge of a Superintendent of Police.

Jalgaon district is divided into two sub-divisions, eastern and western, each in charge of a Sub-Divisional Police Officer. In addition to the police headquarters at Jalgaon, there are in all 25 police stations and 21 outposts in the district. Out of the former, two are town police stations, viz., Jalgaon town and Bhusawal town, 11 taluka police stations, two mahal police stations and 10 sub-police stations.

Strength.

The original strength of the district police which was 1,714 in 1948 went up to 1,814 by 1949 but by 1956 decreased to 1,623. In 1957, composition of the force was as follows;—

That is to say, 45 officers and 1,525 men, including a few temporary officers and men, the total staff was 48 officers and 1,575 men.

The expenditure on the establishment in the district for 1957-58 was Rs. 19,87,906. The ratio of the number of policemen to area and population worked out to one policeman to 2.88 square miles and to 934 persons.

Recruitment.

Recruitment to the cadre of Assistant Superintendents of Police who belong to the Indian Police Service is made by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Union Public Service Commission. On their appointment to the service they are attached to the Central Police Training College, Mount Abu, for training for a period of one year and after successful completion of the training they are sent to the States concerned for undergoing further training. In Maharashtra State, the probationers are attached to districts for practical training for 5½ months and at the Police Training School, Nasik, for 4½ months before they are appointed to hold independent charge of a sub-divisional police officer. An Assistant Superintendent of Police is considered eligible for promotion to a senior post in the Indian Police Service cadre after completion of four years' service from the date of joining the State.

Seventy per cent of the total number of appointments on the sanctioned cadre of Deputy Superintendents of Police are filled in by promotion from the lower ranks of the district police force and the remaining 30 per cent by direct recruitment which is made by the State Government from candidates recommended by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. Candidates appointed by direct recruitment are attached to the Police Training School, Nasik, for training and are kept on probation for a period of three years. During the first two years of their probationary period, they are required to pass departmental examination prescribed by Government. After passing the examination, while at the Police Training School, they are required to undergo practical training in the districts for a period of one year. They arc considered for promotion to Indian Police Service cadre after they put in eight years' service as Deputy Superintendents of Police.

Appointments of Inspectors of Police are made by the Inspector-General of Police from amongst the Sub-Inspectors of Police who are found fit for promotion. No direct recruitment is ordinarily made,

Recruitment of Sub-Inspectors is made by the Inspector-General of Police, both by promotion of officers from the lower ranks of the district police force and by direct recruitment. Fifty per cent of the vacancies are filled by direct recruitment. Of the remaining 50 per cent, 25 per cent are filled by departmental candidates who pass the Police Sub-Inspector's course at the Central Police Training School, Nasik, and the remaining 25 per cent by promotion of officers from lower ranks, who pass the departmental examination qualifying for the post of Sub-Inspector.

Candidates for direct recruitment may be either from outside the police or from the Police department. These candidates are, in the first instance, selected for training in the Police Training School, Nasik, as Police Sub-Inspectors. The selection is made by the Inspector-General of Police assisted by a Committee of the Commissioner of Police, Bombay, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Principal, Central Police Training School, Nasik.

Police constables are recruited directly, and head constables generally from the ranks of constables. However, to attract better men, recruitment of head constables is made direct from qualified candidates up to one-third of the vacancies.

Literacy.

Among the officers and men in Jalgaon district none was illiterate in 1957.

Armament.

The whole strength of armed police was provided with 410 muskets and a squad of 42 men was trained with carbine machine guns. Twenty men were trained in the use of tear gas.

The district had (in 1957) a fleet of nine motor vehicles, including two vehicles allotted for prohibition, work.

The Wireless Grid had a static wireless station with two receivers and two transmitters.

State Reserve Constabulary [The State Reserve Constabulary groups in the State are not organised on the district basis. The force from any group can be deputed for work in any district as per exigencies.].

With a view to providing the armed force which may he required at any place in the State to deal with any disturbance or emergency, the State Reserve Police, trained more or less on military

lines and equipped with modern weapons, has been organised and stationed in groups at important centres in the State, each group being under the control of a Commandant of the rank of Superintendent of Police assisted by the necessary staff of officers of different ranks. The groups are provided with wireless sets and motor transport.

Statistics of Crime.

In 1957, the following were the figures of crime in Jalgaon district: —

The following figures represented the variations in crimes during the quinquennium 1953—57:—

Real serious crimes, including (1) murders and cognate crimes, (2) dacoities, (3) robberies, (4) house-breaking and thefts, (5) thefts including cattle thefts, (6) receiving stolen property and (7) rioting, varied as follows from 1948 to 1957:—

Incidence of cognisable crime per thousand persons varied as follows during the years (1948—57).

Prosecuting start and Prosecutions.

In 1957, the prosecuting staff in the district consisted of one Senior Police Prosecutor and 11 Police Prosecutors. The total number of cases conducted by the prosecuting staff in 1957 was 3,906 of which 1,433 were convictions.

In the Anti-Corruption Branch, in 1957, nine cases of corruption were reported. Of these, one case was sent up for trial in the court and the same ended in conviction. Of the remaining cases, seven cases were referred to the departments concerned for departmental action, which resulted in the dismissal of Government servants in three cases, in reduction of pay in one case and the rest pending departmental action.

Housing.

Of the total strength of 1,575 policemen (permanent and temporary), 842 were housed in Government quarters. Of the 41 sub-inspectors, eight were provided with Government quarters.

Hospital.

There is a medical clinic centre at the Police Headquarters at Jalgaon. It was started on February 10, 1954, for providing medical attention to the women and children belonging to the families of the members of the police force. Two lady doctors, one from the city and another from the Civil Hospital have obliged the clinic with their honorary services on two days in a week and wives of police officers assist them in its running. A nurse employed on monthly remuneration attends the clinic four days in a week.

Welfare Work.

A flour mill, an agricultural farm, carpentry and sewing classes and a provision store have been started at police headquarters at Jalgaon to promote the welfare of the police and their families. A police mess and canteen was started in 1947 at the headquarters to cater to the needs of recruits in respect of food and light refreshments. There is also a recreation hall, children's park, a cinema projector to show films, and a unit of boy scouts and girl guides.

Village Police.

The district police is helped by the village police. Under the Bombay Village Police Act (VIII of 1867), the control of the village police is with the District Magistrate. He may, however, delegate any of his powers to the District Superintendent of Police. There are 1,439 villages in the district. Each village or group of villages has a police patil. He is required to collect information regarding suspicious strangers and send it to the police station. He has to keep a strict watch over the movements of bad characters under surveillance of the police. He is to give information to the police station of any offence committed in the village. When the patrolling policeman goes to the village, the police patil has to give all the information he possesses about all events in the village. It is the duty of the police patil to render assistance to sick travellers, and maintain law and order in the village. In 1957, the number of village police including the police patil was 6,599 and the village police rendered assistance to the district police in 16 cases.

Home Guards.

The Home Guards is a voluntary body organised under the Bombay Home Guards Act, III of 1947, and is intended to supplement the ordinary police force in relation to the protection of person, security of property and public safety and such other services to the public as they may be called upon to perform. It is essentially a civilian body but is nevertheless bound by discipline of a standard equal to that of any military organisation. The district unit of the home guards organisation consists of a Commandant and several subordinate officers in command of divisions, companies, platoons, sections, etc. Appointments of home guards are made by the District Commandant from amongst persons who are fit and willing to serve as home guards, and appointments of officers are made after a period of service in the ranks on consideration of merit. Home Guards receive initial training in subjects like lathi training, weapon training, control of traffic, prohibition and excise laws, first-aid, mob-fighting, guard and escort, drill etc. A Home Guard gets the powers and privileges and discharges the obligations of a Home Guard under the Home Guards Act and the rules made thereunder only when called out for duty under the orders of the District Superintendent of Police. At other times, he is on the same footing as an ordinary citizen. When he is called out to aid the police, he gets duty allowance of not less than Rs. 2 and not more than Rs. 3 per day, as determined by the Commandant.

The Jalgaon district Home Guards unit was started in 1947. The organisation in the district in 1957 consisted of a district commandant, second-in-command, adjutant, district quartermaster, staff officer, publicity staff officer, accounts staff officer, prohibition and training officer, liaison officer and personal assistant to the district commandant. Home Guards centres, each under the commanding officer, have been opened at Amalner, Bhusawal, Chalisgaon, Chopda, Erandol, Jalgaon, Jamner, Pachora, Parola, Raver and Yawal in the district. The total strength was 450 in 1957.

Village Defence Parties.

With a view to providing an opportunity to villagers to cultivate among themselves and also towards their villages a sense of civic duty, an organisation known as "village defence party" was formed in the districts of the old Bombay State prior to reorganisation. These parties are very useful for the defence of villages against depredations of dacoits and other types of criminals. It is a body of public-spirited and able-bodied villagers between the ages of 20 and 50 who voluntarily enroll themselves as members of the party.

For each district there is a police officer of the rank of sub-inspector for the supervision of the village defence parties in the district and is designated as the Village Defence Officer. He is assisted by a Joint Village Defence Officer, who is a citizen willing to work in an honorary capacity under the village defence officer. There is one Assistant Village Defence Officer of the rank of a head constable and one Joint Assistant Village Defence Officer selected from the public for each taluka. Under these taluka officers there is a kotwal for each village organisation. The kotwal is a villager appointed by the District Superintendent of Police on the recommendation of the Assistant Village Defence Officer. The kotwal is in charge of the village defence party, the men in the party being recommended by the kotwal and other officers in order to become eligible for joining it. The Joint Village Defence Officer and Joint Assistant Village Defence Officer get permanent travelling allowance of Rs. 35 and Rs. 22.75 nP. per month, respectively.

The whole defence organisation in the district is subordinate to the District Superintendent of Police, who in turn is under the control of the District Magistrate.

In order to create confidence among the members of the village defence parties, a few selected villagers are given arms licences and these men are expected to arm themselves with such guns as they might be able to procure on their own or with the help of the Superintendent of Police.

Members of the village defence parties are trained together at a given place with such weapons including lathi, etc., as they possess to defend themselves in the best manner they can under the guidance and leadership of the village kotiwal. In order that there should be some men who can handle fire-arms in a serious emergency, the District Superintendent of Police arranges to train in musketry a few men selected by the village defence officer from each village defence party.

The village defence parties are intended merely for self-defence and do not possess any of the powers of police officers. Every act which the members of such parties may perform must be such as may be justified by the principles of the right of private defence of person and property as laid down in the Indian Penal Code. No act, therefore, of a member of a village defence party which is not justified by that right is condoned merely because such person is a member of a village defence party organised or working under the supervision of the police.

Up to the end of 1957, village defence parties were formed in 1,366 villages in the district and they had a total strength of 39,290 members.

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