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Tamil Nadu Police

 Policy Note - 2006 - 2007

DEMAND No. 22

INTRODUCTION

Tamil Nadu police has a long tradition of professional competence which makes it one of the most distinguished police services in the country. Tamil Nadu has a reputation for effective maintenance of law and order, and in the prevention and detection of crimes.  Law and order and communal harmony is well maintained in the state, and the peaceful conduct of the recent Kandadevi festival on 9th July 2006 is testimony to the effective maintenance of peace and order in the State. 

In the detection of property crimes, the State Police is striving to achieve a high detection and recovery rate through close monitoring by senior officers.

A Police force must be people-friendly, and must reach out to, and benefit the common man, the under privileged, and the weaker sections of society. This policy is the core-principle around which this Government is making efforts to improve the functioning of the Police, and all planned measures for improving the functioning and effectiveness of the Police force must be directed towards the achievement of this primary objective.   

Maintenance of public order is also essential for industrial and economic growth of the State.  The Government is committed to take all measures to ensure public order, and will equip the Police Department with the training, manpower, modern weaponry, and sophisticated equipment required for this purpose.

Modern techniques must be used for prevention and detection of property offences. The use of third-degree and other archaic and rough-shod methods are a blot on the name of the Police Force, and must become a thing of the past.  A society cannot be said to be secure unless the women in that society feel safe and protected. The Government accords due priority to the problems faced by women, and will strive to instill in them a sense of confidence in their struggle for respect and empowerment, and a rightful place in society.

The achievement of these objectives requires not only rapid modernization of the Police force, but also a reorientation of attitude, and proper sensitization.  The Government is confident that with planned and systematic efforts, the Police Force will consistently strive to achieve these objectives, in the manner intended and desired.

Chapter 1

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Tamil Nadu Police is headed by a Director General of Police who, guides and supervises all aspects of policing in the State. Different wings of the Department are headed by officers of the rank of Directors General of Police, Additional Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police who assist the Director General of Police in maintaining a high level of professional functioning.

An organizational chart annexed at the end of this note shows the different units and their hierarchical arrangement within the organizational structure of Tamil Nadu Police. 

For administrative convenience, the State, excluding the Commissionerate of Chennai, is divided into four zones with headquarters at Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirapalli and Chennai. Each zone is headed by an Inspector General of Police and all the four zones function under the direct supervision of Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order).  A number of special units / wings attend to specific aspects of policing. The Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, headed by a DGP, looks after the construction, repair and maintenance of Police buildings and residential accommodation.   The Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB), under a DGP assisted by an ADGP and an IGP, conducts recruitment of Constables and Sub-Inspectors, Firemen and Jail Wardens. 

A Crime Wing under an ADGP consists of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the investigation and prosecution of cases against fundamentalists, the Narcotic Intelligence Bureau for action against drug-peddlers, the Video Piracy Cell to curb piracy of video CDs and DVDs, and the Anti-Dacoity Cell for prevention and detection of dacoities.  Cases of atrocities against persons belonging to SCs/STs are dealt with by the Social Justice Wing of CID.   Training of Police personnel which, is of key importance, is looked after by the training wing headed by a DGP.  

An Officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police looks after the Special Operations (which includes Tamil Nadu Commando Force and Tamil Nadu Commando School) and he is also the Chief of the Special Task Force in the State.

The sanctioned strength of IPS cadre in Tamil Nadu is 214, but the actual working strength as on 01.05.2006 is 189.   The total sanctioned strength of the executive staff as on 01.05.2006 is 98,897 and the sanctioned strength of ministerial staff is 5,297.

Chapter 2

LAW AND ORDER

Law and Order is well maintained, and the State is peaceful. There is no significant communal or caste unrest or problem of religious fundamentalism or left-wing extremism in the State.

An elaborate Police bandobust was organised for the recent Assembly elections, and the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of  polls received commendation from the Election Commission.

Maintenance of law and order is the top priority of the Government.  Due to effective measures taken by the police and district administration, the Kandadevi temple festival on July 9, 2006 was conducted peacefully in a spirit of communal harmony.  Similarly, in the aftermath of the Mumbai bomb blast, the Police Department reacted promptly and took all precautionary measures to maintain peace in the State.

The agitation by 8872 permanent workers and 10,000 contract workers in Neyveli Lignite Corporation in the beginning of July 2006, in which all the 19 unions participated, was well managed.  Prompt and timely intervention by the district administration prevented the situation taking a serious turn when the senior management tried to continue production of power in one of the units in the face of opposition by the unions.

For efficient functioning of the Police Department, and to maintain law and order, this Government has issued the following directions:-

• To detect and detain illegal operators of sand quarrying   under Goondas Act by  bringing illegal operations and smuggling of sand within the ambit  of Act 14 of 1982 (Goondas Act). 

• To maintain a constant vigil and take effective action to maintain communal harmony.

• To maintain a constant watch on caste conflicts and to maintain peace.

• To minimize loss of life due to traffic accidents, the Police Department has been asked to take proactive measures in coordination with Transport, Highways and Health Department.

This Government is determined to deal with extremists and terrorists with a firm hand in order to make Tamil Nadu a haven of peace.  Extremist organizations LTTE, SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) TNRT (Tamil National Retrieval Troops), TNLA (Tamil Nadu Liberation Army), TVI (Tamilar Viduthalai Iyakkam), and CPI (Maoist) continue to be banned in the State. 

The recent spurt of violence in Sri Lanka makes Tamil Nadu vulnerable to a large influx of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.  In coordination with the Government of India, a close watch is being maintained on the situation, and adequate measures are being taken to screen the refugees.

The State is free from Naxalite violence, and effective steps are being taken to prevent the spread of Naxalite movement by identifying vulnerable areas and strengthening police action.  Simultaneously, development programmes have been focused in areas vulnerable to naxalite activities.

Trial in the Coimbatore bomb blast cases is nearing completion. Prosecution has been completed and defence arguments are being presented in Court.

DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY

This Government is against custodial violence. This year upto 30.06.2006, 4 cases of death in Police custody have been reported.  These cases are reviewed by the Government periodically, and instructions   are issued to the Director General of Police and other Senior Police officials to take effective steps to ensure that there is no custodial violence. 

POLICE FIRING

During this year upto 15.08.2006, Police opened fire on nine occasions.  The Government has given clear instructions to the Police to use minimum force for the upkeep of law and order, and in providing protection to public life and property.  Senior Police officers have been directed to sensitize all operational hands in advance planning, and take preventive measures to avoid situations where the use of firing has to be resorted to.  Instances of opening of fire for the period 2004-2006 are given in the table below:-

Chapter 3

CRIME TRENDS

The Tamil Nadu Police has been consistently enjoying a reputation for prompt detection of crimes and recovery of properties.  The percentage of detection has been more than 80%. Tamil Nadu Police has been directed to strive harder to further improve on this creditable performance.

In recent times, crime trend has shown a significant change compared to the past.  With the advent of Information Technology, White Collar Crimes such as cyber crimes, credit card frauds, job-racketeering have increased significantly.

Tackling these types of crimes, calls for a new strategy and approach, and the police force is being reoriented to face these new challenges.

The crime figures for 2006 up to the month of June, when compared with the corresponding figures up to the month of June for 2005 indicate a declining trend. 

Comparative Statement for 2005 and 2006 (Upto June)