By the Editor
When life is normal and peace prevails people are complacent and take things for granted as if nothing wrong will happen in future. But if unpleasant situations arise theystart to find fault with the system and search for scapegoats. In case of law and order, fingers will be firstly pointed at the police whose presence they ignored all along. How many are aware that these law enforcing personnel are constantly alert and ready to nip any trouble in the bud before it spreads like wildfire. Hence credit should go to them when society enjoys peace and tranquility. They too are human beings who have families to look after and sacrifice their spare time spending sleepless nights for the well-being of citizens. Police personnel are trained to deal with various situations — directing traffic, maintaining law and order, catching criminals, assisting victims,chasing robbers, summoning help, etc. During insurgency they are targets of militants and, in the past, quite a good number of them had been wounded and killed leaving their wives as widows and the families shattered. In ancient times, people were simple and honest, trusting and helping one another, families were well-knit and villagers were very cooperative. Crime was more or less comparatively unknown and if at all any occured the people themselves took prompt and necessary action. As time passed on, population increased and soalso poverty and famine which resulted in looting and rioting.
Rulers and administrators realised the need for a law enforcement agency to deal with such crises and so initiated the process of recruiting qualified and capable personnel for the police department. Sir Robert Peel, British statesman, is well-known for organising the British police system in 1829 with its headquarters atScotland Yard. So successful was his
idea that the English policeman is nicknamed“bobby” and “peeler” after his name. The United States of America (USA), seeing the success in Great Britain, began to follow the same pattern and in 1844 NewYork became the first city in the USA to establish a day-and-night police force.Because of their constant patrolling, a policeman is known as a “cop”
literally meaning “constable on patrol”.
Population increase, urbanisation, unemployment, especially among educated youths, and frustration are the main causes of crimes and law-breaking. Alcoholism and substance abuse are increasing at an alarming rate which is a matter of great concern. Police personnel are, therefore, to be well-trained so that they can be well-equipped to handle the
matter.
From time-to-time the Government of India imparts necessary training and arms police personnel with latest weapons not only for self-defence but also to deal with violent criminals if such a situationarises. Crimes against children and women are also rising which needs special attention. For safety and security, there ought to be police stations, police beat house, and police outposts fully staffed by women. Necessary steps and measures which are up-to-date for strengthening and modernisation of police forces in the state are a priority.