Police Force Under Stress Both Physically & Psychologically: Madras High Court Voices Concern, Poses Series Of Questions To State

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Monday (07th December) took note of the suicides and desertions within the police force while observing that "there is no mechanism available in the Police Force and that is the reason why so many genuine grievances of the Police could not be addressed." The Bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice B. Pugalendhi also noted that the "Uniformed Police Force is under stress both physically and psychologically". While noting that "frustrated police personnel tend to take emotional decisions", the Bench took judicial note of the fact that "the Police Constables are denied leave for even attending their children's birthdays, marriage celebrations or festivals unreasonably." In this context, the Court also remarked that sometimes, the circumstances force police personnel to work round-the-clock, "without adequate rest and leave and there is not even a day's off, even though the staff of the other Departments are enjoying two days of holidays every week." The Court further noted that most police personnel lack in stress management skills, some of them are addicted to alcohol and some are even driven to commit suicide. Importantly, the Court said, "Unless the welfare of the Police Force is looked into properly and their morale is kept up, it is very difficult to maintain law and order and detect and prevent the crimes." The matter before the Court A Writ Petition was filed before the HC seeking direction for the respondents to increase the per capita income of the Police Force in the State and to fill up the vacancies in the post of Constable and Sub-Inspector of Police and pay higher salary. To this, the Court also observed that the problems of the Police could not be highlighted because of lack of Association by the Police Force. Concerns raised by the Court The Bench, in its order, noted that the Teachers working in the Elementary Schools are getting more salary than the Policemen and the salary of the Policemen, who are working in Tamil Nadu, is very low when compared to other States. The Court also remarked, "Work pressure, long working hours, stress and separation from family have been affecting police personnel." Importantly, the Court noted, "Nowadays, the Police Force has been facing a lot of problems. Stress and work pressure have led to an increasing number of suicides and desertions affecting the morale of the Force." Further, the Court raised the following queries to be answered by the respondents: (a) What are all the problems faced by the Policemen in general? (b) Is there any mechanism available to express their grievances to the Higher Authorities, as Police Association is prohibited in Police Force? (c) Whether time-bound promotions are given to the Police Force? (d) Whether the orderly system has been dispensed with or still it is followed by the Police Force, violating the Government Order passed in 1979? (e) Whether the one-day statutory holiday is being given to the Police Force? (f) Why not dispense with an allowance given, in lieu of week-end holidays for work? (g) Whether the Police People are given leave for attending social functions and also birthday functions of their children? (h) How many desertions have taken place for the past 10 years? (i) How many Policemen committed suicide for the past 10 years? (j) How many persons died due to health issues? (k) How many posts are vacant in the Police Force? [cadre-wise and categorywise details to be given for each Wing viz., Law and Order, Crimes, Traffic, etc.] (l) When was the last recruitment made and how many posts are vacant as on today in the Police Force? (m) What are the steps taken to fill up the vacant posts? (n) What is the existing ratio and the required ratio of Policemen vis-a-vis the population? (o) Whether strength of the Police Force is increased according to increase in population? (p) Whether the Police Force is having any special insurance benefits, as they are facing risks while discharging their duties? If it is so, give the details of the same? (q) How many Police Persons are facing criminal cases and departmental proceedings as on date? (r) Is it a fact that the pay scale of Policemen and Elementary School Teachers was one and the same at one point of time and there is a huge gap between the present pay scale between them? (s) Why not the pay scale of the Police Force be increased, considering the risks involved in discharge of their duties? The answers to the above said queries and also a comparative statement of pay band to the Police Force in Tamil Nadu and the other States have to be filed by the respondents on or before 17.12.2020.Click Here To Download OrderRead Order

Police Force Under Stress Both Physically & Psychologically: Madras High Court Voices Concern, Poses Series Of Questions To State

Sparsh Upadhyay

"Unless the welfare of the Police Force is looked into, it is very difficult to maintain law & order and prevent crimes."

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