Police Modernisation Mission (PMM) 

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Union government told the Supreme Court that it has begun implementing a ₹24,000-crore umbrella scheme called the Police Modernisation Mission (PMM) over the next five years.

About the Police Modernisation Mission (PMM) 

• Coverage: The scheme would strengthen the internal security capabilities of state police forces and Central Armed Police Forces and Central Government security and intelligence agencies through targeted investments, reforms and technology-led transformation. 
• CCTV infrastructure: Adequate funds would be provided for installing CCTV cameras in police stations across states.

Issues Related to Police Forces in India

• Overburdened Police Force: Apart from their core responsibility of maintaining law and order and preventing crime, police personnel are frequently deployed for functions such as traffic management, disaster response, and removal of encroachments.
• Poor Quality of Investigation: The Law Commission (2012) observed that poor-quality investigation is one of the major reasons for low conviction rates in India.
• Police personnel lack adequate training, specialised expertise and modern forensic support required for professional investigation.
• Inadequate Police-Population Ratio: Many states face shortages of police personnel, leading to an unfavourable police-population ratio.
• Lack of Operational Autonomy: Control over the police force largely rests with the political executive.
  • The Second ARC (2007) noted that such control can result in undue interference in police functioning, including transfers, postings and operational decision-making.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Several police stations continue to face shortages of modern equipment, vehicles, communication systems, forensic facilities and functional surveillance infrastructure such as CCTV cameras.
• The inadequate representation of women in police forces affects gender-sensitive policing and may discourage women from reporting certain crimes.

Existing Government Initiatives for Police Modernisation

• Assistance to States & UTs for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme: The Centre supplements State/UTs efforts through the Assistance to States & UTs for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme. 
  • Its objective is to strengthen police infrastructure at the cutting-edge level by equipping police stations with modern technology, weapons, communication systems, mobility and selective infrastructure such as police stations and housing. 
• Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme: The MPF scheme was initiated in 1969-70 and has undergone several revisions over the years.
  • Funds from the scheme are used for improving police infrastructure through construction of police stations and provision of modern weaponry, surveillance and communication equipment.  
  • Upgradation of training infrastructure, police housing and computerisation are also important objectives funded through the scheme.
• In order to facilitate police in States/ UTs with a common platform for sharing information on crimes and criminals at national level, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has implemented Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) under which 17,712 police stations across the country have been covered. 
• SMART Policing: It compasses the entire range of policing activities e.g cybercrime prevention, drug de-addiction, capacity building with latest equipment, countermeasures against left-wing extremist etc.

Supreme Court judgements

• In the Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh case, the court mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations within police stations, including entry and exit points, lockups, corridors, reception areas, and the rooms of inspectors and sub-inspectors.
• Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006) Judgement: The Supreme Court issued guidelines for the establishment of three institutions: a State Security Commission, a Police Establishment Board, and a Police Complaints Authority.

Recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)

• States should establish specialised investigation units within the police force to ensure professional criminal investigations.
• Functions such as traffic management, disaster rescue and other non-core policing activities should be transferred to specialised government departments or private agencies.
• Police personnel should be protected from undue political interference while establishing effective mechanisms to ensure their accountability.
• Senior police appointments should be based on merit, professional competence and transparent procedures.
• Police forces should adopt a citizen-centric approach and strengthen engagement with local communities to improve trust and cooperation.

Source: PRS, TH