Policing a Democracy

Policing has generally become a complex area of public administration in our times. Where, however, a society is sharply divided on the basis of ethnic, linguistic or economic lines, police tasks are rendered even more problematic. The author, a senior Indian Police Service officer, with more than three decades of field experience, and who has also observed the US police from its close quarters, attempts a comparative study of the two systems. His finding, that notwithstanding their obvious cultural differences and disparities in terms of economic and technologi- cal development, police forces in the two countries share common problems - a spurt in violent crime, terrorism, and mean regard for human rights - should provide food for thought for the police leadership. There is a need for innovations in police methods of operation, such as community policing and computer-aided response to service demands from the public. There is an equally strong case for enlarging the base of recruitment of police personnel, so that they become more acceptable to the various segments of a highly fractured society. In the author's view, many interesting speculations are possible about the future of policing.