Out of the total working police force in India, over 85% are constables. This means that the majority of the force is at the lowest rungs of the state police hierarchy, ranked ninth or tenth from the top.
Given this scenario, it is imperative that constables should be looked after to serve the public to the best of their ability. The reality, however, is quite different.
A brief overview:
1. Long working hours
Long, undefined hours are the norm for constables across police stations in India. They are on duty even during festivals to ensure there is no ruckus or breach of law and order. In the bargain, they rarely get any days off. Even today, in most police stations, there is no system of working in shifts.
2. Low income and few opportunities
The lowest starting salary of constables in India ranges from Rs 5,200 to Rs 10,300, according to 2012 data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development. However, this amount is not proportional to the hours they put in at work. Moreover, promotions are hard to come by and constables remain in the same position for a number of years, with little or no increase in pay.
3. Poor living and working conditions
Most constables have little access to safe, clean and affordable housing. There are no arrangements made for them to rest when they have to work for 24 hours or longer. Lack of proper rest and personal comfort contribute to irritation and stress levels.
4. Lack of proper training
Constables are usually the public’s first point of contact with the police, but they are not trained adequately in dealing with complaints sensitively. Besides this, inadequate emphasis is given to sharpening investigation skills, even though it is a vital aspect of their duties.
5. Manpower utilization
A large number of constables are deployed on VIP protection duty. This uses up precious manpower