Kerala Civil Police yet to take shape

KOCHI: Though an order to form the Kerala Civil Police by integrating the Armed Reserve and local police was issued a year ago, its implementation still remains on  paper. The move that would have been a major solution to the shortage of staff in the police department for investigative purposes has not been implemented so far. In December, 2010, the Home Ministry had accorded sanction for the integration of the personnel in the regular ranks of police constables, head constables, assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors in the general executive and corresponding ranks in the District Armed Reserve to form a single cadre in every district named Kerala Civil Police (KCP) Subordinate Service. A senior police official, on condition of anonymity, said that other than changing the names of the rank, the real integration has not taken place. “The merger of the police would have been an ideal solution to the severe staff shortage in the department. After the integration, the surplus personnel in the Armed Reserve camps can be diverted for duties performed by the local police. The policemen in the Armed Reserve camps are regularly  deployed for guard, escort and emergency law and order duties. Since emergency situations are rare, a large number of cops at the camps are left with no duty,” a police official said.Justice K T Thomas Committee, which filed its report in 2004, had recommended the abolition of the Armed Reserve Police. “The Armed Reserve cadre in the districts can be merged with the local police and sufficient number of policemen can be provided in local police stations after ensuring that a minimum number of cops are stationed at the Armed Reserve camps for emergency law and order response and essential prisoners escort. While the personnel will belong to the local police with  the merger, some of them can be earmarked to attend camp duties by fixed turns of short duration. The officer cadre in the Armed Reserve required for administrative duties will continue there and those who are surplus can be deployed elsewhere” the report stated.