People with an interest in criminology need not restrict themselves to thrillers and television. A police university,the first of its kind,is coming up,probably in Mumbai,and will provide formal degrees in subjects ranging from investigation to forensic science. Any person with an interest in learning about the force can apply for admission,once the guidelines are formulated. People within the force too can enter to learn more about a particular subject. The university is being set up by the state government with 90 per cent funding by the Centre,the idea having been approved by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Still in the initial stages,it is expected to be in operation after two or three years. The Director General of Police drafted the proposal for its structure only recently. Officials,however,said it would offer certificate as well as degree courses. Police in recent years has become a subject in itself. The idea is to open up new vistas in the police force and give a chance to the common man to participate with the police. Students completing the course may get a chance to work in co-ordination with the police, said Additional DG (law and order) K P Raghuvanshi. If Mumbai has a space crunch,the university could come up either in Raigad or between Mumbai and Pune. The police force is no more just about investigations but specialised fields like forensic science,behavioural science. Often we have trouble finding professionals for specialised cases. The university through its programmes could help in giving us such professionals, said principal secretary (Home) P K Jain. The courses are expected to deal with all aspects of the force: structure,hierarchy,rules and regulations,protocol,duties and responsibilities,investigation aspects,behavioural science,hostage situations,terror attacks and forensic science. Specialists and crime academicians from across the world,including the top brass of the Indian and Mumbai police,would also be invited to deliver guest lectures. Once a student completes a course,the Maharashtra police may give him or her,depending on merit,an opportunity to work directly with the police force.
