Ribeiro calls for mechanism to monitor police performance

Mumbai, Mar 25 (UNI) Establishment of a mechanism to monitor and evaluate police performance should be included in the draft of the new police act, former Mumbai Police Commissioner J F Ribeiro said today.

Addressing a meeting on police reforms here, Mr Ribeiro said the draft should also ensure appropriate executive direction, levels of accountability and inclusion of human rights violations as offences.

''There is an urgent need to replace the colonial Police Act of 1861 with a law that reflects the democratic nature of India's polity and the decision for setting up the Police Act Drafting Committee is a welcome move,'' Mr Rebeiro observed.

He said while national commissions and committees offer ''useful perspectives'' in regard to police reforms, it is equally important to look at international developments in the field.

Referring to police reform systems in foreign countries, he said the systems prevalent in England and in Northern Ireland offer many lessons that are useful for replication in the Indian context.

''The policing system in South Africa, an emerging developing society with a long history of internal conflict too, offers useful perspectives for India,'' he added.

Talking about the political interference in functioning of police, Mr Rebeiro said democratic governments are expected to refrain from such interference into the day-to-day working of the police.

''Police in democracies should have some operational discretion when they apply policies and laws, but they must use this discretion judiciously and in the public good,'' he maintained.

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