Insulating the police from politicians, separation of law and order machinery from the investigative apparatus, fixed tenure for police officers starting right from the station house officer — these are some of the far-reaching directions given by the Supreme Court today aimed at establishing a long-cherished independent and responsive police force in the country.

A bench of Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice C K Thakker and Justice P K Balasubramanyam, on a petition filed by Prakash Singh, a former Director General of Police, and NGO Common Cause, gave the judgement listing the directions. When implemented, these have the potential to change the face of India’s police force.

The key recommendations are:

• Setting up of a State Security Commission in every state to ensure that state government does not exercise unwarranted influence or pressure on the police.

• DGP of state to be selected from among three senior-most officers; will have fixed tenure of atleast 2 years.

• IG, Deputy IG, SP and SHO will have minimum fixed tenure of 2 years.

• Investigating police will be separated from law and order police to ensure speedier investigation, better expertise and improved rapport with people.

• Police Establishment Board in each state to decide on transfers, postings etc and service related matters of officers’ upto DSP.

• Police Complaints Authority at district level to look into complaints against police officers till DSP.

• Center to set up National Security Commission for selection and placement of Chiefs of Central Police Organisations.

... contd.