Role of the Police and Courts

Relationship between Police and Courts

The function of the police is to detect crime and investigate complains into violations of the law. However, it is not the role of the police to decide whether a person is guilty or not. That is the function of the court. According to the constitution, every person has the right to a fair trial in a court of law.

Hierarchy of the police force in India

The police force in the state is headed by the Commissioner of police. This official is also called Director General of Police The states are divided into districts and the police force in each district is headed by the Superintendent of Police.

Functions of The Police

The main function of the police is to maintain law and order and detect crime. They have to compulsory file an First Investigation Report(F.I.R) on any case.

The F.I.R
A First Information Report (FIR) is a

written document prepared by police organizations when they receive information about the commission of a crime offence. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a crime offense or by someone on his on her behalf, but anyone can make such a report either orally or in writing to the police.

Procedure For Filling An F.I.R

When information about the commission of a offence is given orally, the police must write it down. It is your right as a person giving information or making a complaint to demand that the information recorded by the police is read over to you. Once the information has been recorded by the police, it must be signed by the person giving the information.

 You should sign the report only after verifying that the information recorded by the police is as per the details given by you. People who cannot read or write must put their left thumb impression on the document after being satisfied that it is a correct record. Always ask for a copy of the FIR, if the police do not give it to you. It is your right to get it free of cost.

Details contained in F.I.R

His\her name and address Date, time and location of the incident you are reporting The true facts of the incident as they occurred Names and descriptions of the persons involved in the incident Witnesses, if any His/her left thumb impression

What happens if the police refuse to record an F.I.R

You can meet the Superintendent of Police or other higher officers like Deputy Inspector General of Police & Inspector General of Police and bring your complaint to their notice. You can send your complaint in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied with your complaint, he shall either investigate the case himself or order an investigation to be made.

 You can file a private complaint before the court having jurisdiction. You can also make a complaint to the State Human Rights Commission or the National Human Rights Commission if the police does nothing to enforce the law or does it in a biased and corrupt manner.

Some Important Images

Kiran Bedi was the first woman to join the Indian Police Service

Ujjwal Nikam is the present public prosecutor in India.

Glossary
Hierarchy: - A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to status or authority. Witness : - A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.