Shimla: Public security was the responsibility of state police, which needs to introspect why people do not trust police, stated P.C. Haldar, former Director of Intelligence Bureau on the occasion of raising day celebration of Himachal Pradesh Police today during his lecture on the theme “Institutional Architecture & Security Reforms” for the Indian Police in 21st Century.

Haldar said police-public relations suffer from a significant lack of trust and a persisting perception about its credibility and fairness in delivering security and safety to citizens. He said community policing though talked about a lot was yet to become an integral part of normal policing adding that engagement with civil society in coping with these challenges had not seen much growth. However, community remains a valuable resource even in this century, he said.

Former Intelligence Bureau Director said that many of the challenges before Police were not new but had gathered added momentum as these were now technology enabled and technological development had made it tough to find out wrongdoers. However, the role of local police becomes critically important to cope up with the challenges. Evolving perception of national security now includes both external and internal dimensions. Almost every incident that challenges or threatens national security manifests as a crime at the grass root level.

He said internal security challenges develop through three broad phases of incubation, manifestation and mitigation and the police functions as a manager of consequences of short comings in other sectors.

Dr. Ajay Sahni, Executive Director, Institute of Conflict Management, New Delhi said that Police and allied agencies had been facing a tremendous pressure during last decade at architectural and fundamental level. He stressed upon the need of police modernization in a phased manner and special attention was always needed in this direction. He also underlined the need to improve the capabilities through trainings and other modes.

Dr. Sahni said police-population ratios were severely inadequate, and probably exaggerated, at 150.75/100,000 on the average for the country as against a projected desirable ratio of 220 per lakh for peacetime policing. He said police capacities and capabilities, in terms of the skills and profiles of personnel, in terms of equipment and technology, and crucially, in terms of status and welfare were far below the acceptable standards.

Earlier while welcoming the guest & other dignitaries, Director General of Police Somesh Goel briefed about the various activities organised during two days raising day celebrations.

Principal Secretary, Home Probodh Saxena, senior police officers and representatives of semi forces also participated in the programme.