by Police - Bureau of Police Research and Development

The Indian Police JournalIt is equally unfortunate that there is a groundswell of support fromthe people to this obnoxious practice by the police. There is no doubtpublic uproar when there is death in police custody, but there is agreater uproar if suspects in crimes are not tortured for recovery ofstolen property. Majority of people share the general perception thattaught a lesson. I have often heard political leaders lamenting thatthere is no fear of the police for which lawlessness is in the increase.All this has emboldened the police to continue with the practice ofA Tool of Investigation or Extortion ?The reason for the subordinate ranks in the police clinging to this indispensability as a tool for extortion. Nobody would pay a bribe tothe police unless threatened. The power of arrest, registration of FIR,grant of bail and investigation is widely abused for making money. Noservice is rendered unless bribe is paid. I would not say that corruptionin the police is more than that in other Government services, but ithurts the people more, because they are directly affected. In most ofis impersonal.For example, a corrupt Chief Engineer receives his percentage of thecost of the project from the contractor and shares it with his Minister.It is only the State and the people that incur loss. In the case ofcorruption by the police, it is the victim who pays to obtain serviceis used to extract bribe which converts it to extortion. That is whycorruption in the police has a darker face than that in other branchesof the Government.Third Degree leads to all IllsI hold the practice of third degree responsible for almost all the illsthat police suffers from. It has earned the police the reputation of created an impregnable barrier between the police and the people. Ithas sabotaged the process of investigation of heinous crimes and thushelped criminals escape the rigour of law. It has promoted corruption12 January - March, 2013