The decision of the government of Nagaland to start the ‘tourist police’ in the state is like a breath of fresh air for a policing system that is deeply entrenched in colonial hangover. For a state that is almost 55 years old in a country that has attained 71 years since independence from United Kingdom, the policing system is still taking time to evolve. Just as the police in India are still stuck with the khaki even after 170 years since it was first introduced during the British era, the structure and working system of the police force in India is also somehow anachronistic. Just as the khaki—used mainly for the military as the colour was a better camouflage—is not very practical in urban areas, the police forces still rely largely on archaic concepts for its operations. Unfortunately for India, the history of the country before independence and after independence is one full of strife. This is one plausible reason why police forces in India are still much regimented.
The inauguration of the tourist police in Nagaland is a paradigm shift for a police force that was all this time trained and run with only one focus—law enforcement as a reaction to crime. Even then, it was seen over the years that the police in India as a law enforcement agency was also not a very big success: police personnel themselves have been caught oblivious of the very laws they were meant to enforce. The sight of the police is supposed to create fear among wrongdoers but a sense of security for victims. However, the police forces instead have been known for trying to find fault where it was not necessary or where it was not there. Many victims fear going to the police for fear of being victimised again.
Nevertheless for a small state like Nagaland, which is still a conflict zone, such out-of-the box initiative, is a welcome change. Another such initiative is the ‘Police Ke Pathshala’ started by the state’s own police officers to bridge the gap between the police and the public. It is time that the police, at least that of the state, differentiate pure law enforcement from policing. Policing is not only about law enforcement but also involves crime fighting with the involvement of the community; and solving problems. Sir Robert Peel, also known as the father of modern policing, had laid down the nine principles of policing that is the base of all modern police forces. Now is a good time for the police department in Nagaland to revisit the Nine Peelian Principles. It is also time to check if the Nagaland Police can be completely differentiated or bifurcated from its near paramilitary cousins viz. the Nagaland Armed Police including the Indian Reserve Battalion. Along with the modernisation of crime fighting tools the police department also needs a complete makeover that includes demeanour, and personality. And, if possible, a different non-khaki uniform.
