Context:
Recently, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued amended guidelines emphasizing specific criteria for the appointment of State Directors General of Police (DGPs).
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Amendments in UPSC Guidelines for DGP Selection
- Supreme Court’s Directives on Police Reforms
Amendments in UPSC Guidelines for DGP Selection
- Transparent Selection Criteria:
- The amendments aim to bring transparency to the selection process.
- Prevent favoritism and unfair appointments.
- Service Tenure Requirement:
- Officers with at least six months of service left before retirement can be considered for the DGP position.
- Discouraging the extension of tenures for officers on the verge of retirement.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Officers with 25 years of experience can now qualify for the DGP position, reduced from the previous requirement of 30 years.
- Limited Shortlisting:
- The guidelines limit the shortlisted candidates to a maximum of three, with exceptions only in specific cases.
- Emphasizes voluntary participation, requiring officers to express their willingness.
- Relevant Experience:
- The guidelines outline essential areas of experience, including a minimum of ten years in domains such as law and order, crime branch, economic offenses wing, or intelligence wing.
- Emphasizes deputation to central bodies like the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, or Central Bureau of Investigation.
- Central Deputation Exception:
- The Empanelment Committee will not assess IPS officers on central deputation for the DGP position if the Union Ministry of Home Affairs informs the State government that releasing the officers is not feasible.
Supreme Court’s Directives on Police Reforms
In the Prakash Singh Case of 2006, the Supreme Court of India issued a set of directives to address various issues affecting police performance and reform the police system in the country. These directives are as follows:
Establish a State Security Commission (SSC):
- The SSC aims to prevent undue government influence on the police.
- It outlines policy guidelines for the police and assesses state police performance.
Transparent Appointment of DGP:
- The appointment of the Director General of Police (DGP) should follow a transparent, merit-based process.
- The DGP must have a minimum tenure of two years.
Committee for Appointing State DGP:
- The committee to appoint the State DGP is headed by the UPSC Chairman.
- It includes the Union Home Secretary, the State’s Chief Secretary, DGP, and one of the heads of the Central Armed Police Forces nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs from a different State cadre.
- The selection process involves the State governments sending UPSC the names of potential DGPs three months before the incumbent DGPs retire.
- The UPSC prepares a panel of three officers fit for the DGP role.
- The State appoints one of the shortlisted individuals.
Minimum Tenure for Operational Police Officers:
- Ensure a minimum two-year tenure for other operational police officers, including District Superintendents and Station House Officers.
Segregation of Duties:
- Implement the separation of investigative and law enforcement duties within the police force.
Police Establishment Board (PEB):
- Create a PEB to handle transfers, postings, promotions, and other service-related matters for officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- The PEB also makes recommendations for higher-ranking transfers.
State-level and District-level Police Complaints Authorities (PCA):
- Establish a State-level PCA to investigate public complaints against senior police officers for serious misconduct.
- Create district-level PCAs to address complaints against lower-ranking officers involved in significant misconduct.
National Security Commission (NSC):
- Form a NSC at the union level to select and place Chiefs of Central Police Organizations (CPO).
- Ensure a minimum tenure of two years for CPO Chiefs.
-Source: The Hindu
