Odisha police constables yet to take up investigation task
File photo of Odisha police officials
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<p>File photo of Odisha police officials <br></p>
BHUBANESWAR: Over a year and half months have passed since the state government announced delegation of investigation power to constables to address the shortage of investigators in police stations, but the state police headquarters is yet to materialize the much-needed reform.
The matter assumes significance as the government last week abolished 905 posts against the vacancies in the special operation group (SOG), the anti-Maoist force of the state police, and re-created the same posts in 220 police stations to tide over the manpower shortage.
“We do not know how long it will take for the government to complete the selection of the 905 personnel and their redeployment in the 220 police stations. But the state police headquarters is sitting on the government’s earlier order to empower the constables to probe petty cases. While the government seems to be serious to improve the functioning of the police stations, the top police officials lack the interest during implementation,” said D S Sarangi, a retired police officer.
In January 2019, the state home department issued a notification related to the delegation of investigation power to constables and havildars with minimum qualification of graduation. The government empowered the constables to investigate petty offences that fall under at least 33 sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Some of the IPC sections that the constable and havildars can deal with are – 379 (theft), 292 (sale of obscene books), 294 (use of obscene acts and songs), 304-A (causing death by negligence), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 341 (wrongful restraint), 348 (wrongful confinement to extort or compel restoration of property), 447 (criminal trespass) and 448 (house trespass).
Police said only the ‘willing’ constables and havildars are supposed to take up the investigation responsibility as it is not a mandatory order for all the constables. Currently, a combined strength of around 35,000 constables and havildars serve in the state police. Police sources said only around 700 constables evinced interest to get involved in the investigation task. Many constables were apparently not enthused to take up the additional task of investigation as it would not fetch them extra salary or incentive.
“We were about to start their training in the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy (BPSPA) a few months ago. But the training was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” a senior police officer said.
BPSPA developed a syllabus to impart training to the willing constables and havildars. They will undergo 30-day theory training at different police training institutes in the state and later be given practical training for 45 days at police stations. At the end, they will undergo a written test. Those, who qualify, will be assigned to investigate petty cases.