PROJECT REPORT REPORT POLICE DEVIANCE With Reference To Unconstitutionality Unconstitutionality Of Third Deree !ethods And Use Of "atal "orce
Session: 2015-2016
#u$%itted &y'
Shiksha Dhamija LLM Semester III
TA&LE O" CONTENT# Introduction....................... Introduction.................................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... ......................3 .........3
Meaning of Deviance....................... Deviance.................................... ......................... ......................... .......................5 ..........5
Police
Types Types of Police Deviance........................ Deviance..................................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .............7 7 Police use of Fatal Force.......................... Force...................................... ......................... .......................... .......................15 ..........15 Causes of use of Fatal Force........................ Force.................................... ......................... .......................... ....................18 .......18 Police Deviance and ccounta!ility Mec"anis#s...................... Mec"anis#s................................... .............$$ $$ Conclusion....................... Conclusion.................................... .......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ......................$7 .........$7 %i!liograp"y.............. %i!liograp"y........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... .......................... ...............3& ..3&
INTRODUCTION
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Meaning of Deviance....................... Deviance.................................... ......................... ......................... .......................5 ..........5
Police
Types Types of Police Deviance........................ Deviance..................................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .............7 7 Police use of Fatal Force.......................... Force...................................... ......................... .......................... .......................15 ..........15 Causes of use of Fatal Force........................ Force.................................... ......................... .......................... ....................18 .......18 Police Deviance and ccounta!ility Mec"anis#s...................... Mec"anis#s................................... .............$$ $$ Conclusion....................... Conclusion.................................... .......................... .......................... ......................... ......................... ......................$7 .........$7 %i!liograp"y.............. %i!liograp"y........................... .......................... ......................... ......................... .......................... .......................... ...............3& ..3&
INTRODUCTION
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Poli Police ce 'or( 'or( !y its its very very natu nature re invo involv lves es t"e t"e slip slippe pery ry slop slopee )t"e )t"e pote potent ntial ial for for grad gradua uall deterioration of social*#oral in"i!itions and perceived sense of per#issi!ility for deviant conduct+. In fact, t"e '"ole unspo(en -dar(- side of cri#inal ustice 'or( involves putting up 'it" conditions t"at are at less t"an usual co#fort levels/ i.e., -slu##ing it-. Police are routinely involved in undercover 'or( '"ic" involves ta(ing on false identities and inducing cri#e. Police are allo'ed to #a(e false pro#ises to "ostage ta(ers and (idnappers. Police feed disinfor#ation to t"e #edia. Police are trained to !e deceptive at intervie'ing and interrogation. Police #a(e all (inds of e0cuses to get out of nuisance calls. Police trade or sell t"eir days off and desira!le 'or( assign#ents. assign#ents. Police angle t"e#selves t"e#selves into cases reuiring court appearances and #anipulate t"e overti#e syste# to earn an average for a year. Police strain t"e trut" to protect loved ones and cri#e victi#s. Police routinely invade privacy via surveillance and ot"er tec"nological #eans. Police fig"ting t"e drug pro!le# #ay encounter #ore loose cas" t"an t"e gross national product of so#e s#all countries. nd as 'it" sting operations, t"ere2s so#et"ing t"at2s ust plain sic( a!out a syste# t"at condones t"e police #a(ing a product, selling t"e product, and t"en arresting people for !uying t"e product Deviance is an action or !e"aviour t"at violates t"e generally accepted nor#s of a group, organiation, or society )dler, $&&5+. Many societies4 and organiations4 policies, practices, and la's are developed fro# t"is nor#ative foundation. Policies )and so#eti#es la's+ are 'ritten 'ritten !ecause !ecause entitie entities, s, rangin ranging g in sie fro# fro# organi organiati ations ons to countr countries, ies, codify codify acts of deviance. Deviance can and does occur in all 'or(places and t"roug"out all professions. "en pu!lic officials violate organiational rules and6or !rea( t"e la' t"ese acts are also called #alfeasance, #isfeasance, and nonfeasance. Malfeasance ** inte intenti ntion onal al co##i co##issi ssion on of a pro" pro"i! i!it ited ed act act or inte intent ntio iona nall unu unust st perfor#ance of so#e act of '"ic" t"e party "ad no rig"t )e.g., gratuity, gratuit y, perury, perury, use of police resources for personal use+
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Misfeasance ** perfor#ance of a duty or act t"at one is o!ligated or per#itted to do in a #anner '"ic" is i#proper, sloppy, or negligent )e.g., report 'riting, unsafe operation of #otor ve"icle, aggressively -repri#anding- a citien, i#proper searc"ing of suspect+ Nonfeasance ** failure to perfor# an act '"ic" one is o!ligated to do eit"er !y la' or directive due to o#ission or failure to recognie t"e o!ligation )e.g., failure to file report, i#proper stop fris(, security !reac"+
!EANIN( O" POLICE DEVIANCE
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Police deviance occurs '"en la' enforce#ent officers !e"ave in a #anner t"at is 9inconsistent 'it" t"e officer4s legal aut"ority, organiational aut"ority ,and standards of et"ical conduct: .Police deviance includes !ut is not li#ited to discri#ination, #isconduct, inti#idation ,se0ual "arass#ent, corruption ,e0cessive force, use of restricted 'eapon and illegal surveillance Police deviance is a #uc" !roader ter# t"an corruption. It includes all activities '"ic" are inconsistent 'it" nor#s, values, or et"ics. Police deviance and a!use of police po'er "ave e#erged a #aor issue of "u#an ;ig"ts concern and one of t"e root o!stacles to de#ocracy and develop#ent of "u#an 'ell !eing in conte#porary societies. Torture caused police violence "as devastating effects on p"ysical and #ental "ealt" as 'ell as social functioning of t"e individuals, t"eir c"ildren, fa#ilies, co##unities and society at large. T"e victi#s re#ain in a state of perpetual fear and "orror '"enever t"ey re#e#!er t"eir custodial agony, "atred, trau#a and pro!a!ly never a!le to lead a nor#al life in #any parts of t"e 'orld T"e practice of police !rutality in t"e developing countries li(e India is, "o'ever, #ore difficult and co#ple0. T"e practice is #ore 'idespread and gone unc"ec(ed since %ritis" days if t"ere 'as no tacit support of senior police officials, !ureaucrats, politicians and udiciary. T"e fact is t"at t"e practice also enoys t"e support of a large section of t"e pu!lic in t"e #ista(en !elief t"at it is necessary for effective #aintenance of la' and order. Torture, in order to e0tract confession 'as so ende#ic in India t"at t"e %ritis" colonial rulers, '"en enacting cri#inal la's for t"e country, decided to #a(e all confessions to police officers inad#issi!le as evidence in court of la'. fter Independence, t"e Constitutional and statutory provisions safeguarding life and li!erty of an individual in custody including rig"ts against self*incri#inate, incidences of custodial cri#es "ave !eco#e a distur!ing factor in society. T"e cases of police deviance "ave increased today.
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poor and socially e0cluded groups and people 'it" little or no political or financial po'er are areuna!le to protect t"eir interests. ffluent #e#!ers are not generally su!ected to torture as t"e police are afraid of t"eir resourcefulness. T"e #e#!ers of t"e 'ea(er or poorer sections of society are arrested infor#ally and (ept in police custody for days toget"er 'it"out any entry of suc" arrests in t"e police records. During t"e infor#al detention t"ey are su!ected to torture, '"ic" so#eti#es results in deat". In event of deat" in custody, t"e !ody of t"e deceased is disposed off stealt"ily or t"ro'n to a pu!lic place #a(ing out a case of suicide or accident. ;ecords are #anipulated to s"ield t"e police personnel. T"e relatives or friends of t"e victi#s are una!le to see( protection of la' on account of t"eir poverty, ignorance and illiteracy. =ven if voluntary organiations ta(e up t"eir cases or file pu!lic interest litigations, no effective or speedy re#edy is availa!le to t"e#, '"ic" results in t"e erring officers go scot*free. T"e >upre#e Court and ?ig" Courts in t"eir several land#ar( udg#ents up"eld t"at police personnel do indulge in custodial cri#es. T"roug" creative interpretation, t"e "ig"er udiciary "as evolved #ec"anis#s for protection of t"e rig"ts of t"e victi#s of torture and t"eir entitle#ents for co#pensation. In leading cases of Nilabati Behera vs. State of Orrisa1 and D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal 2, t"e pe0 court "eld t"at t"e clai# of sovereign i##unity arising out t"e >tate disc"arging sovereign functions is "eld to !e no defence at all against t"e acts of violation of t"e constitutionally guaranteed Funda#ental ?u#an rig"ts. T"e Court furt"er "eld t"at 9t"ere is a great responsi!ility on t"e police aut"ority of ensures t"at t"e citien in its custody is not deprived of "is rig"t to life. ?is li!erty is in t"e very nature of t"ings circu#scri!ed !y t"e very fact or "is confine#ent and t"erefore "is interest in t"e li#ited li!erty left to "i# is rat"er precious .T"e duty of case on t"e part of t"e >tate is strict and ad#its of no e0ceptions. T"e 'rongdoer is an accounta!le
1 )1@@3 $ >CC 7AB+ 2 )I; 1@@7>CC B1&+ 6|Page
and t"e >tate is responsi!le if t"e person in custody of t"e police is deprived of "is life e0cept according to procedure esta!lis"ed !y la'. In t"is land#ar( case, t"e court "as udiciously evolved a rig"t to co#pensation in conte0t of esta!lis"ed unconstitutional deprivation of personal li!erty. Ti#e and again, t"e "ig"er udiciary "as ta(en serious vie' on t"e issue of custodial cri#es and issued guidelines as preventive #easures and "as also evolved custodial urisprudence to control t"e #enace of custodial cri#es in police custody. In spite of various efforts initiated !y govern#ent, non*govern#ent organiations, and #edia to co#!at custodial cri#es including torture in police custody. ?o'ever, torture is ende#ic in India and t"is is a fact ac(no'ledged !y t"e aut"orities and 'idely docu#ented. Police forces are poorly trained on investigation #et"ods and on t"e a!solute pro"i!ition of torture and cruel, in"u#an or degrading treat#ent. Most cases of torture !y state officials occur in police custody, and it is 'idely ac(no'ledged !y govern#ental and non*govern#ental studies t"at t"e police operate in a syste# facilitating t"e use of torture and ill*treat#ent.
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T)PE# O" POLICE DEVIANCE POLICE GRATUIT
gratuity is t"e receipt of free #eals, services, or discounts. on federal police usually do not regard t"ese as for#s of corruption )-not anot"er lecture on t"e free cup of coffee or police discount-+. T"ese are considered fringe !enefits of t"e o!. evert"eless, t"ey violate t"e Code of =t"ics !ecause t"ey involve financial re'ard or gain, and t"ey are corruption !ecause t"e officer "as !een placed in a co#pro#ising position '"ere favours )a -fi0-+ can !e reasona!ly e0pected in t"e future. "en t"ere is an i #plied favour )a -'in( and nod-+, it2s called -#ooc"ing-. "en t"e officer is uite !latant a!out de#anding free services, it2s called -c"iselling-.
POLICE S!A"E#O$NS
s"a(edo'n is '"en t"e police e0tort a !usiness o'ner for protection #oney. T"e typical scenario involves gay !ars, '"ic" are considered t"e #ost vulnera!le. In so#e cities )li(e %oston for e0a#ple+, police are still c"arged 'it" t"e po'er to inspect !ars for co#pliance 'it" liuor regulations. fficers are t"en in a position to t"reaten !ar o'ners 'it" violations if t"ey do not #a(e payoffs, and pro#ise to intercept )-fi0-+ any ot"er violation reports
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processed t"roug" depart#ent c"annels. In ot"er cities )li(e >an Francisco, for e0a#ple+, officers 'ould pro#ise e0tra protection against gay*!as"ing in return for e0tra pay#ents. In still ot"er cities )li(e e' rleans, for e0a#ple+, #oonlig"ting officers 'ould #a(e e0tra #oney fro# -details- in liuor esta!lis"#ents, and !e paid e0tra for overloo(ing open se0 or drug violations. In so#e cities, police officers "ave co#plete control over liuor licenses and even o'n near!y par(ing #eters. To deal 'it" t"e gay !ar issue, #any police depart#ents "ave tried "iring openly gay recruits. >"a(edo'ns are also co##on 'it" strip !ars, prostitution rings, drug dealing, illegal ga#!ling, and even construction proects. In eac" case, t"e approac" and #odus operandi are so#e'"at varia!le, !ecause eac" officer su!ects t"e !usiness operator and6or patrons to t"e s"a(edo'n differently.
POLICE PER%UR
T"is is usually a #eans to affect an act of corruption, leaving out certain pertinent pieces of infor#ation in order to -fi0- a cri#inal prosecution. -Dropsy- evidence is typical, '"ere t"e officer testifies untrut"fully t"at "e6s"e sa' t"e offender drop so#e narcotics or contra!and. Eies t"at Miranda 'arnings "ave !een given, '"en t"ey "aven2t, are also typical. Eying in court is called -testifying-, and police can do it coolly/ t"ey2re trained 'itnesses. t"er actors in t"e syste#, supervisors and even udges, are often a'are of t"e perury. T"ey pretend to !elieve police officers '"o t"ey (no' are lying. =very!ody2s "appy 'it" t"e syste#. T"e cop gets credit for a good !ust/ t"e supervisor2s arrest statistics loo( good/ t"e prosecutor rac(s up anot"er 'in/ t"e udge gets to give "is little lecture 'it"out endangering "is re*election
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prospects, t"e defence la'yer gets "is fee in dirty #oney, and t"e pu!lic is t"rilled t"at anot"er cri#inal is off t"e street )Ders"o'it 1@@B+.
Most perury is co##itted !y decent cops '"o "onestly !elieve a guilty defendant 'ill go free unless t"ey lie a!out so#et"ing.
POLICE &RUTALIT
Police !rutality "as !een defined as e0cessive force, na#e calling, sarcas#, ridicule, and disrespect )President2s Co##ission 1@B7+. t"er co##issions "ave si#ply used a vague definition as -any violation of due process-. ania and Mac(ey2s )1@77+ 'idely*regarded definition is -e0cessive violence, to an e0tre#e degree, '"ic" does not support a legiti#ate police function.- "en a citien c"arges police !rutality, t"ey #ay !e referring to a nu#!er of t"ings, includingG profane or a!usive language co##ands to #ove or go "o#e field stops and searc"es t"reats of i#plied violence prodding 'it" a nig"tstic( or approac"ing 'it" a pistol t"e actual use of p"ysical force nly t"e last one of t"ese )unreasona!le and unnecessary actual use of p"ysical force+ can !e considered police !rutality. T"is is co##only e0pressed as -#ore t"an e0cessive force-. Police perury and police !rutality go "and in "and, as officers '"o co##it !rutality 'ill
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#ost li(ely lie on t"e stand to prevent t"e possi!ility of a la'suit or depart#ental c"arges. T"e reasons '"y an officer #ig"t engage in t"is (ind of conduct are #anyG a s#all percentage #ay "ave !een attracted to police 'or( for t"e opportunity to enoy p"ysically a!using and "urting so#e!ody an officer #ay co#e to !elieve -it2s a ungle out t"ere an officer #ay !e provo(ed and pus"ed !eyond t"eir endurance T"e #ost co##on reason is occupational socialiation and peer support. ne co##on !elief is t"at it2s necessary to co#e do'n "ard on t"ose '"o resist arrest !ecause t"ey #ay (ill t"e ne0t police officer '"o tries to arrest t"e# )so you "ave to teac" t"e# a lesson+. not"er practice is t"e -screen test-, police argon for applying t"e !ra(es on a police ve"icle to t"at t"e "andcuffed prisoner in !ac( 'ill !e t"ro'n against t"e #etal protective screen.
POLICE PRO'ANIT
T"ere are #any reasons '"y a police officer 'ould use o!scene and profane language. =ffective use of ver!al co##unication is one of t"e s(ills e0pected in police 'or(. Concepts suc" as -co##and voice- and -co##and presence- are routinely taug"t at police training acade#ies. T"e FCC specifically conde#ns certain 'ords on radio and television t"at are -patently offensive-, !ut t"ere2s no suc" #ec"anis# for deter#ining '"at2s offensive 'it" interpersonal co##unication. T"e follo'ing topology e0istsG 'ords "aving religious connotations )e.g., "ell, godda#n+ 'ords indicating e0cretory functions )e.g., s"it, piss+ 'ords connected 'it" se0ual functions )e.g., fuc(, pric(+
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POLICE SE( ON #UT OR #UT RELATE#
Contacts 'it" pro#iscuous fe#ales and #ini#al supervision are part of t"e o!. >ooner or later, every police officer 'ill !e propositioned. T"ere are a nu#!er of 'o#en '"o are attracted to t"e unifor# or t"e aura of t"e occupation. =very police officer 'ill !e a!le to tell you stories a!out police -groupies-. T"ese are 'o#en '"o #a(e t"e rounds !y 'aving at officers, getting t"e# to stop or pull over, and t"en set up #eetings to "ave se0 'it" t"e#, or so#eti#es rig"t t"en and t"ere. 'o#an suc" as t"is typically "as se0 'it" '"ole depart#ents and "undreds of police officers. t"er situations involveG traffic stops ** to get a closer loo( at t"e fe#ale or infor#ation a!out "er fo0 "unting ** stopping college girls to get t"e I2ll do anyt"ing routine voyeuris# ** 'indo' peeping or interrupting lovers lane couples
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victi# re*contacts ** consoling victi#s '"o "ave psyc"ological needs opposite se0 strip searc"es ** touc"ing and6or se0 'it" ail in#ates se0ual s"a(edo'ns ** letting prostitutes go if t"ey perfor# se0 acts
POLICE SLEEPING ON #UT
n t"e nig"t s"ift, t"e police car is so#eti#es referred to as t"e -travelling !edroo#-. In police argot, a -"ole- or -coop- is '"ere sleeping ta(es place, typically t"e !ac( roo# of so#eplace t"e officer "as a (ey to and can engage in safe -cooping-. Police officers '"o attend college during t"e day or #oonlig"t at ot"er o!s in order to #a(e a decent living are often involved in t"is (ind of conduct. u#erous court appearances during t"e day can also !e a factor, along 'it" t"e toll of s"ift 'or(. >leeping on duty, of course, is ust an e0tre#e e0a#ple of gold!ric(ing, t"e avoidance of 'or( or perfor#ing only t"e a#ount #ini#ally necessary to satisfy superiors.
POLICE #RIN"ING ) A&USING #RUGS ON OR O'' #UT
T"ere are endless opportunities to drin( or ta(e drugs '"ile on duty )e.g., victi# intervie's, s"a(edo'ns, contra!and disposal+, and t"e reasons for it are #anyG to get "ig", addiction, stress, !urnout, or alienation fro# t"e o!. ?o'ever, even in cases of recreational usage )'"ic" doesn2t e0ist, since officers are never off*duty or "ave any of t"eir -o'n ti#e-+, t"e potential is t"ere for corruption. T"e officer #ust o!tain t"e drugs fro# so#e inter#ediary,
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involve ot"ers in transactions, and open t"e door to !lac(#ail, s"a(edo'ns, rip*offs, and cover*ups. It sets a !ad e0a#ple for pu!lic relations. It 'ill affect udg#ent, and lead to t"e greater li(eli"ood of deadly force or traffic(ing agents. lco"ol and drug use tends to !eco#e a syste#ic pro!le#/ ot"ers !eco#e involved, eit"er supporting or conde#ning t"e user. lco"ol and drugs tend to !e #i0ed !y police officers !ecause t"ere2s #ore su! cultural support for alco"olis#/ t"us t"e a!user covers up t"e drug use 'it" alco"olis#.
POLICE MISUSE O' CON'I#ENTIAL IN'ORMATION
T"is nor#ally involves eopardiing an ongoing investigation !y -lea(ing- infor#ation to friends, relatives, t"e pu!lic, t"e press, or in so#e cases, directly to t"e cri#inal suspects or #e#!ers of t"eir gang. T"e officer #ay !e una'are t"at t"ey are even engaging in t"is (ind of conduct '"ic" #ay involve -pillo' tal(- in so#e instances. Failed raids, for e0a#ple, are often due to a lea( in t"e depart#ent. In ot"er cases, depart#ent resources, suc" as co#puter syste#s, #ay !e used to produce cri#inal "istory reports for -friends- of t"e depart#ent suc" as private detectives, consulting fir#s, or area e#ployers. Pass'ords can also slip out, granting access to co#puter net'or( infor#ation. In rare cases, police resources are put to use in !lac(#ailing political figures. In general, "o'ever, crac(ing do'n on secrecy violations "as produced #ore pro!le#s t"an it "as solved.
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POLICE U#E O" "ATAL*E+CE##IVE "ORCE T"e p"eno#ena of Police !rutality also (no'n !y various na#es in different countries suc" as police violence, police cri#inality, police #isconduct and police deadly use of force. T"e ter# 9Police %rutality: is p"rase fro# co##on speec"/ t"us its #eaning is not defined. In general, it connotes t"e use of e0cessive force !y t"e police against #e#!ers of t"e pu!lic. It is accepted t"at #any uses of force !y t"e police cannot !e la!elled 9Police !rutality or 9e0cessive: !ecause t"e use of forces is so#eti#es necessary in police 'or(. T"e police are t"e officials in #odern society '"o co##only are called upon '"en t"e state "as to use it ulti#ate po'er of coercion against its o'n citiens, eit"er for reasons rooted in t"e enforce#ent of la'ful orders or si#ply to (eep order. T"us, t"e po'er to use force is an essential part of police functioning. Police %rutality #ay divided !et'een !rutality t"at occurs as part of t"e order (eeping and cri#e prevention function of police, on t"e one "and, or !rutality t"at occurs during t"e investigative function on t"e ot"er "and. T"e for#er usually occurs in t"e street, and tales t"e for# of !eating or in t"e e0tre#e, a s"ooting, and t"e later usually occurs inside a police station or police custody as version of Torture. TORTURE
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ccording to t"e rticle 1 of t"e Hnited ations Convention gainst Torture and t"er Cruel In"u#an or Degrading Treat#ent in )CT+, 1@8A, torture is defined as 9 any act !y '"ic" severe pain or suffering, '"et"er p"ysical or #ental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for suc" purposes as o!taining fro# "i# or a t"ird person infor#ation or a confession, punis"ing "i# for an act "e or a t"ird person "as co##itted or is suspected of "aving co##itted, or inti#idating or coercing "i# or a t"ird person, or for any reason !ased on discri#ination of any (ind, '"en suc" pain or suffering is inflicted !y or at t"e instigation of or 'it" t"e consent or acuiescence of a pu!lic official or ot"er person acting in an official capacity:. It does not include pain or suffering arising only fro#, in"erent in or incidental to la'ful sanctions. Moreover, t"e co##on t"ird degree #et"ods of torture and ill*treat#ent used !y state agents or police in al#ost all t"e countries across t"e glo!e in t"e na#e of t"ird degree #et"ods include !eating electric s"oc(s rape and se0ual a!use in custody, suspension of t"e !ody !eating on t"e soles of t"e feet #ore t"an t"irty countries, suffocation #oc( e0ecution or t"reat to deat". t"er #et"ods included su!#ersion in 'ater, stu!!ing out of cigarettes, sleep deprivation and sensory deprivation. T"ere are #ore various #et"ods of torture are used in police custody. #ong t"e#, pu!lic flogging, pu!lic las"ing !eing forced to s'allo' detergent/ sodo#y/ !urning 'it" !lo' torc"/ electric s"oc(s/ suspension !y t"e 'rists/ forci!le e0traction of teet"/ !eating during pu!lic de#onstrations/ e0tended detention in solitary confine#ent/ sta!!ing / deat" in custody as a result of ill*treat#ent/ torture during pre*trial detention for t"e purposes of o!taining confessions/ overcro'ding in pre*trial detention centres, #alnutrition, contagious diseases/ asp"y0iation/ !eatings on t"e soles of t"e feet/ insertion of #etal nails under toenails/ ver!al a!use including se0ual insults/ s"utting t"e fingers in a door/ !eing tied na(ed to a radiator/ !urning 'it" cigarettes !eatings 'it" touc" eons, !oards,
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#etal pipes, "oses/ t"reats of assault, including se0ual a!use and rape/ continuous !lindfolding/ t"reats of "aving police dogs released on persons arrested or detained/ protracted "anging !y ar#s/ denial of access to toilets/ (ic(ing in t"e "ead/ denial of food/ protected forced standing/ t"reats against fa#ily #e#!ers/ forced feeding/ prisoner*on* prisoner violence/ !eing stripped na(ed and forced to cra'l t"roug" t"e effluent fro# a se'age outlet/ firing of s"ots into cells/ !eing forced to perfor# oral se0/ denial of #edical treat#ent/ sleep deprivation/ scalding 'it" !oiling 'ater/ t"reats of a#putation/ use of tear gas against prisoners/ "olding t"e "ead under 'ater, prolonged inco##unicado detention/ !eatings resulting in !ro(en li#!s and !ones/ denial of needed #edical attention/ !eating and rape/ negative religion counselling/ prolonged detention in psyc"iatric institutions/ life* t"reatening prison conditions/ !eing "ung upside do'n/ are co##on #et"ods for use of f orce !y police in t"e custody. In India, neit"er Constitution nor statutory la' contains an e0press definition of torture. ?o'ever, different provisions in la' provide police po'er for use of force only in t"ree circu#stances/ Firstly, to appre"end a person '"o resists an endeavour to arrest "i# or atte#pts to evade arrest3 secondly, for t"e dispersal of an unla'ful asse#!ly Aand t"irdly, in t"e e0ercise of t"e rig"t of private defence 5. T"e legal provisions in la's and procedures in India, allo' police in respect of police use of force in certain situations as discussed a!ove. ?o'ever, police generally !elieved t"at use of force is necessary to detection and prevention of cri#e so called t"ird degree or torture and considered as an effective instru#ent for see(ing confession.
3 >ection AB of Code of Cri#inal Procedure, 1@73 4 >ection*1$@ of Code of Cri#inal Procedure,1@73 5 >ection*1&& and 1&1of t"e Indian Penal Code, 18B& 17 | P a g e
CAU#E# O" T,E U#E O" "ATAL*E+CE##IVE "ORCE Hse of e0cessive fatal police force is due to t"e follo'ing causesG 1. LEGAL CAUSE G T"e first and fore#ost cause or root of t"e pro!le# lies in a "ig"ly ano#alous provision contained in t"e Indian =vidence ct, 187$, na#ely, >ection*$7. In t"e sc"e#e of t"e ct, a confession #ade !y a person in police custody in not ad#issi!le in court of la' as evidence under >ection*$5 of Indian =vidence ct. ?o'ever, !y 'ay of proviso, section* $7 lays do'n t"at if a person in t"e custody of a police officer #a(es a state#ent leading to t"e discovery of a fact, t"e sa#e is ad#issi!le, '"et"er or not it a#ount to confession. Different gra##atical pro!le#s and linguistic vagueness "ave !een generated !y t"e placing and inept language of t"e section. ur concern is 'it" #atter t"at is #ore su!stantial. T"e fact t"at a state#ent can !e rendered ad#issi!le, if it is represented to t"e trial court as a 9discovery state#ent: and presented at t"e trial in t"e for# of a confession #ar(ed as a discovery state#ent, a fact 'ill (no'n to every police officer police officer, acts as a lever to t"e police
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officer to use unfair #eans to procure suc" a state#ent. T"e police (no' t"at t"is is an easy #et"od of circu#venting t"e pro"i!itions !ased on practical 'isdo#, e0perience, of generations, and deep t"in(ing. It is an unpleasant t"ing to say, !ut it #ust !e said, t"at section $7 of t"e Indian =vident ct "as !een productive of great #isc"ief, in t"e sense t"at it generates an itc" for e0torting confession '"ic", in its turn, leads to resort to su!tle, disguised action, p"ysical or #ental torture, cruelty or any ot"er for# of custodial a!uses. T"e anot"er reason for t"e continuation of torture and custodial violence is t"at police officials !elieve t"at t"ey i##une to use torture in defence of national interest, pu!lic purpose and good fait" '"ile e0ercising sovereign function of t"e >tate )air 1@@@+. Indian legislation contains various provisions proving i##unity fro# prosecution to certain groups of officials for any offence co##itted in t"e disc"arge of >overeign Functions of t"e >tate.
2* ORGANI+ATIONAL CAUSE: ,i $o./ P.ess.e
ne of t"e causes of custodial cri#es is t"e tre#endous pressure on t"e police to detect cases '"enever t"ere is surge in cri#e, and particularly "einous cri#e. several police officers under pressure of 'or( and driven !y a desire to ac"ieve uic( results, leave t"e pat" of patient and scientific interrogation and resort to t"e use of p"ysical force in different for#s, to pressure t"e 'itness6suspect6accused to disclose all t"e facts (no'n to "i#. ,ii Lac/ of Se.ision
d#inistrative reasons li(e lac( of proper supervision of t"e functioning of t"e officers at t"e police station level #ay instigate co##ission of custodial violence. fficers at t"e police
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stations level feel t"at t"eir activities are not !eing #onitored !y supervising officers. T"ey ta(e t"e li!erty of 'or(ing rec(lessly including in perpetration of custodial cri#es. ,iii O34a3e4 Police S3.c3.e
T"e pro!le# of custodial atrocities lies in Police ct, 18B1 '"ic" is a !asic la' and re#ained unc"anged. Particularly due to lac( of political 'ill to re*define t"e role and responsi!ilities of t"e police officials 'it" recent develop#ents.
* SOCIAL CAUSE :
Custodial atrocities and %rutality are ra#pant !ecause of i#practical de#ands and e0pectation of t"e society to ta(e toug" action. =ven a large section of society feels t"at despite t"eir e0cesses police carries out a necessary and unpleasant tas( of preserving and protecting t"e state.
* ECONOMIC CAUSE
T"e for#s of t"e corruption are very nu#erous today. It #anifests itself in every stage of t"e 'or( of t"e police station. T"e police officer #ay levy a fee or receive a present for every duty "e perfor#s. T"e co#plainant "as often to pay a fee for "aving "is co#plaint recorded. ?e "as to give t"e investigating officer a present to secure "is pro#pt and earnest attention to t"e case. More #oney is e0torted as t"e investigation proceeds. "en t"e officer goes do'n to t"e spot to #a(e "is investigation, "e is a !urden not only to t"e co#plaint, !ut to "is 'itnesses, and often to t"e '"ole village. People are "arassed so#eti#es !y !eing co#pelled
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to "ang a!out t"e police officer for days, so#eti#es !y attendance at t"e police station, so#eti#es !y "aving "i# and "is satellites uartered on t"e# for days, so#eti#es !y t"reats of evil conseuences to t"e#selves or t"eir friends )specially to t"e 'o#en of t"e fa#ily+ if t"ey do not fall in 'it" "is vie' o t"e case, so#eti#es !y invasion of t"eir "ouses !y lo' caste people on t"e plea of searc"ing t"e property, so#eti#es !y unnecessarily severe and degrading #easures of restraint. Fro# all t"is deliverance is often to !e !roug"t only !y pay#ent of fees or presents in cas".
5* POLITICAL CAUSE :
=ven after si0 decades after independence, t"e police in t"is country are perceived as ut"oritarian agent of >tate rat"er t"an an agent of la'. Political interference at t"e local Eevel, in t"e "ig"er ec"elons and in every day functioning. T"e incentive to !ad officers is to !enefit fro# po'erful patronage. ?onest officers '"o discern t"eir duty as serving 'it"out !ias, fear or favour find t"e#selves la!elled as uncooperative, difficult and un"elpful and are sidelined into non*operational roles. llegiance to po'er centres outside of t"e police #eans t"at t"e c"ain of co##and is 'ea(ened/ lines of control get !lurred 'it"in t"e force and t"e a!ility of superior officers to #ars"al t"eir forces or #a(e t"e# accounta!le for 'rong*doing is severely co#pro#ised. Political interference "as a c"ain reaction and gets institutional in a negative sense resulting in t"e su!version of e0isting structures of supervision and control 'it"in t"e esta!lis"#ent. T"e po'er of transfer and a!ility to da# or furt"er t"e career pat"s of individual officers #a(e t"e police una!le to resist outside influence, '"et"er t"is co#es fro# po'erful societal or political ele#ents or political superiors. Transfers "ave !eco#e #anifest negotia!le instru#ents.
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POLICE DEVIANCE AND ACCOUNTA&ILIT) !EC,ANI#!# T"ere is a#ple evidence of increasing police deviance in India. Incidents of !rutality, e0tortion and ot"er cri#es co##itted !y police officers in different parts of t"e country are reported in Indian ne'spapers. Most pu!lic co#plaints against police personnel fall into t"e follo'ing four categoriesG
%rutality or e0cessive use of force/
Corruption/
Partiality or !ias/ and
Failure to register co#plaints.
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T"e e0isting #ec"anis#s for calling t"e police account for t"eir actions can !e discussed !roadly under t'o #ain "eadingsG
1. Internal ccounta!ility Mec"anis#s.
$. =0ternal ccounta!ility Mec"anis#s
INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS
T"e internal #ec"anis#s for "olding individual police officers accounta!le for t"eir actions are contained in t"e Police ct of 18B1, t"e state govern#ents. Police cts and in rules laid do'n in state Police Manuals. T"e Police ct of 18B1 B aut"orises senior police officers of t"e ran( of >uperintendent of Police and a!ove to dis#iss, suspend or reduce t"e ran( of any police officer of su!ordinate ran(s7'"o# t"ey t"in( re#iss or negligent in t"e disc"arge of "is or "er duties or unfit for t"e sa#e. T"ey are also aut"orised to i#pose one or #ore of t"e ot"er punis"#ents, including )a+ fine not e0ceeding one #ont"4s pay, )!+ confine#ent to uarters not e0ceeding 15 days, )c+ deprivation of good conduct pay, and )d+ re#oval fro# any office of distinction or special e#olu#ent.
In addition, t"e Police ct of 18B1 lists t"e follo'ing offences for '"ic" a police officer can !e disciplinedG )i+ a 'ilful !reac" or neglect of any rule or regulation or la'ful order/ )ii+ 'it"dra'al fro# duties of t"e office or !eing a!sent 'it"out per#ission or reasona!le cause/ )iii+ engaging 'it"out aut"ority in any e#ploy#ent ot"er t"an "is police duty/ )iv+ co'ardice, and )v+ causing any un'arranta!le violence to any person in "is custody. T"e penalty for
6 T"e Police ct, 18B1, >ection 7 7 >u!ordinate officers #ean officers of and !elo' t"e ran( of Inspector of Police 23 | P a g e
t"ese offences ranges !et'een fine of up to t"ree #ont"s4 pay to i#prison#ent up to t"ree #ont"s or a co#!ination of !ot". 8
T"e rules divide punis"#ents into #aor and #inor. T"oug" t"e rules differ fro# state to state, generally, dis#issal, re#oval, reduction in ran( or pay and forfeiture of service are regarded as .#aor punis"#ents. T"ey cannot !e i#posed on any police officer 'it"out conducting a regular depart#ental inuiry. It is only after t"e inuiry proves t"e c"arges against t"e accused police official t"at a #aor penalty can !e i#posed. Minor punis"#ents include censure and repri#and. T"ey can !e i#posed 'it"out conducting any depart#ental disciplinary proceedings.
EXTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS
%U#ICIAR
T"e courts constitute one of t"e #ost i#portant e0ternal #ec"anis#s of ensuring police accounta!ility. "ile 'rit petitions and pu!lic interest litigations can !e filed in "ig"er courts, cri#inal prosecutions can !e launc"ed in lo'er courts. nu#!er of significant udg#ents "ave !een passed !y t"e "ig"er courts, prescri!ing safeguards or guidelines to regulate police conduct during arrest, interrogation and ot"er stages of investigation, as(ing t"e govern#ent to pay co#pensation in cases of custodial violence, co##enting adversely on t"e police for s"o'ing discri#ination in t"e "andling of co##unal and caste conflicts and
8 T"e Police ct, 18B1, >ection $@ 24 | P a g e
passing strictures in #any cases '"ere defective or inadeuate police investigation 'as noticed.
!UMAN RIG!TS COMMISSIONS
T"e "u#an rig"ts co##issions esta!lis"ed under The Protection of Human ights !ct" 1##$ %the !ct& provide anot"er #eans of "olding t"e police accounta!le in cases of #isconduct. T"e #ost i#portant of t"ese co##issions is t"e ational ?u#an ;ig"ts Co##ission )?;C+, '"ic" 'as esta!lis"ed on cto!er 1$, 1@@3.T"e ?;C undou!tedly "as so#e ac"ieve#ents to its credit, in ter#s of its efforts to #a(e t"e police accounta!le for t"eir actions. ?o'ever, t"e Co##issions 'or( "as suffered due to certain infir#ities and deficiencies in t"e la' governing its functioning. T"e Co##ission is supposed to !e co#pletely independent in its functioning, !ut t"ere are certain provisions in t"e ct, '"ic" underscore t"e dependence of t"e Co##ission on t"e
More i#portantly, t"e ct does not aut"orise t"e Co##ission to enuire into co#plaints of violations of "u#an rig"ts co##itted !y t"e #e#!ers of t"e ar#ed forces. .r#ed Forces, as defined in t"e ct, #eans not only t"e naval, #ilitary and air forces !ut also so#e central ar#ed police organiations, li(e t"e %order >ecurity Force. 1&
NON-GO7ERNMENT ORGANI+ATIONS
< activities relating to t"e police are !roadly of t'o typesG )1+ t"ose concerned 'it" violations of "u#an rig"ts co##itted !y police officers and )$+ t"ose concerned 'it" refor#s
9 >ection 11 and >ection 3$, 3@ The Protection of Human ights !ct" 1##$ %the !ct& 10 >ection $)1+)a+ A& The Protection of Human ights !ct" 1##$ %the !ct& 25 | P a g e
in t"e 'or(ing of t"e police organisation. T"e for#er group of activities include !ringing police atrocities out in t"e open and putting pressures on t"e govern#ent to ta(e action against t"e police. Police or govern#ent reaction to < allegations is usually t"at of denial. T"e govern#ent is generally reluctant to e0pose police a!use of po'er as it could !e used against t"e# !y t"e opposition. ?o'ever, '"ere t"e docu#entation of "u#an rig"ts violations is aut"entic and supported !y irrefuta!le evidence, t"e govern#ent is forced to ta(e action. %ut docu#enting "u#an rig"ts violations co##itted !y police personnel poses a #aor c"allenge to t"e <s. ne pro!le# faced !y <s advocating for police refor#s is t"e non availa!ility of infor#ation a!out govern#ent plans and progra##es concerning t"e police. T"e police are very reluctant to s"are infor#ation 'it" outsiders, particularly t"e <s. T"is "a#pers t"e 'or( of t"e <s, especially 'it" regard to police refor#s. More i#portantly, t"ere is an ele#ent of distrust !et'een t"e <s and t"e govern#ent in t"e country. T"e govern#ent feels t"at alt"oug" t"e <s are ever ready and 'illing to conde#n t"e police at t"e drop of a "at, t"ey "ave no alternative plans to suggest. T"ose <s t"at receive foreign funding are under greater suspicion.
ME#IA
ne of t"e #ost vigilant 'atc"dogs over t"e police functioning in t"is country is t"e #edia. T"e #edia in India enoys a 'ide #easure of freedo#. It "as enor#ous reac" and po'er. Tec"nological advances 'itnessed during t"e last fe' decades "ave revolutionied t"e 'orld of co##unications and opened frontiers, '"ic" 'ere "it"erto un(no'n to t"e #edia or !eyond its reac". ny violation of "u#an rig"ts occurring any'"ere in t"e country can !e (no'n to t"e rest of t"e country in no ti#e, provided t"e #edia ta(es it up .T"e #edia "as s"o'n great interest in reporting on "u#an rig"ts violations co##itted !y police officers. n
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t"e '"ole, t"e #ainstrea# national #edia "ave !een far !etter t"an t"e regional #edia in covering "u#an rig"ts violations and "olding state agencies accounta!le. 11
CONCLU#ION Police !rutality "as #ultiple conseuences on individual personality, fa#ily life and social functioning of co##unities and society at large. Torture is al'ays ai#ed at t"e victi#s4 vulnera!le points !ot" p"ysical and #etal. It is !ecause t"eses vulnera!le points are overall t"e sa#e in people of all societies. Different types of inury follo'ing torture are t"erefore s#all !et'een different parts of t"e 'orld. T"e p"ysical inuries, so#eti#es present for '"ole life, "ave t"e effect of continuing t"e torture long after t"e detention. Pain, scars and defor#ities 'ill !e continuous re#inders of t"e torture. "en
11 Police accounta!ility in India !y
% anngria P? Pu!lis"ing Corporation $&&7 =DITI
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e0tre#e poverty. Moreover t"e stig#a attac"ed to se0ual violence, official tortures deli!erately use rape to "u#iliate and punis" victi#s !ut also to destroy entire fa#ilies and co##unities. T"e arrest and detention in police custody itself creates a psyc"ological i#pact on t"e detainees. T"e an0iety, fear and stress of !eing arrested and detained causes #ental pressure or trau#a and stress on t"e detainee. T"e suspect or accused person co#es into police station in a state of s"oc( and it varies enor#ously fro# person to person 'it" respect to t"eir capacity to cope 'it" situation. T"e detainee spends a large part of t"e ti#e in police custody '"ere t"e interrogation ta(es place. T"e police interrogate arrested persons in secret 'it"out recording t"e arrest. T"e detainee is under tre#endous psyc"ological strain during interrogation due to lo' #ental and p"ysical condition. T"e process of interrogation and surrounding circu#stances in custody affects t"e #ind of t"e arrested person '"ic" influences "i# to cru#!le. It !uilds up a (ind of pressure on t"e #ental state of t"e person interrogated. %y torturing t"e !ody, t"e torturer4s ai# is to destroy victi#4s #ind Torture in police custody is considered as an instru#ent to i#pose t"e 'ill of strong over 'ea(ly suffering Torture is 'ound in t"e soul so painful t"at so#eti#es you can al#ost touc" it, !ut it is also so intangi!le t"at t"ere is no 'ay to "eal it. lt"oug" a focus and p"ysical and psyc"ological seuel of torture is essential, "o'ever, si#ply concentration on individuals4 sy#pto#atology, #ay t"e loose t"e sig"t of its political and social di#ensions. Torture creates enor#ous a#ount of fear and insecurity on victi#s and its environ#ents. T"e spill over effect torture "as fro# Individual to fa#ily and co##unity. T"e social i#pact of torture including feeling of insecurity, feeling of alienation, stig#a, apat"y 'it" de#ocracy and governance, feeling of alien country, lac( of social
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support li(e s"elter, food, liveli"ood, education of c"ildren and #arriage etc. T"e effect of custodial violence or police !rutality goes !eyond t"e i##ediate victi#s and t"eir fa#ilies. "en people in society perceives an act !y a police officer to !e unfair, unreasona!le, unnecessary, or "arassing, especially #inority co##unities are t"e victi#s, t"at perception #ay provide t"e i#petus for riot, destroying pu!lic property, unrest and societal distur!ance, resulting in destruction, violence and causality. Providing a sense of security to t"e ordinary citiens and attending to t"eir grievances is dependent on t"e esta!lis"#ent of a police force, '"ic" is efficient, "onest and professional to t"e core. T"e fact t"at suc" a police force does not e0ist in India is attested to !y t"e findings of t"e various co##issions and co##ittees, t"e co#plaints received !y t"e "u#an rig"ts co##issions, t"e stories reported !y t"e press and t"e e0periences of t"e co##on people on t"e streets. T"e need for police refor#s is self evident and urgent. T"ere are t'o directions in '"ic" t"e idea of police refor#s #ust !e pursued si#ultaneously. ne is to esta!lis" statutory institutional arrange#ents, '"ic" 'ould ensure t"at t"e po'er of superintendence of t"e state govern#ent over t"e police force is li#ited to guarantee t"at police perfor#ance is in strict accordance 'it" la'. In ot"er 'ords, t"e police function to esta!lis" rule of la' and not t"e rule of politics. T"is 'ould reuire insulating t"e# fro# outside illegiti#ate control and giving t"e# functional autono#y. nce t"e police are given functional independence, t"ey #ust !e "eld accounta!le for t"e 'rongs t"ey do. T"e e0isting #ec"anis#s of accounta!ility #ust !e strengt"ened and i#proved. In addition, ne' #ec"anis#s, 'or(ing independently to #onitor t"e functioning of t"e police and to inuire into pu!lic co#plaints against t"e police, #ust !e esta!lis"ed. T"e perfor#ance of t"e police as an organiation and t"e !e"aviour of police personnel as individuals !ot" need constant #onitoring.
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