Police salaries paid by you: Police are paid by the tax payer to provide a service. Their salaries come out of the stategovernment budget and the budget of the central government. Money for any budget comes from tax paid bycitizens either directly from income or indirectly through other taxes andlevies by the government.
What is a beat constable? He is called that because he has aregular specific area or route, which he patrols “ sometimes with anotherpolice officer, to check if everything is in order and nothing suspicious isgoing on. On night patrols the beatconstable will sometimes call out or bang their lathis to indicate that he ison his rounds.
Who is in charge of the police force? There is one chief of police in eachstate. He is called the Director Generalof Police (DGP). But even the DGP has toreport to the government. His/her bossis the home minister in charge of the home department in the state or at thecentre. In case of any abuse by a policeofficer. the same maybe reported to the DGP.
A police officer is always on duty: The police act makes it clear that a policeofficer is “considered to be always on duty”. But that does not mean that he is never allowed to rest. It just means that wherever he is, in or outof uniform, he must act to uphold the law. He cannot say “I am not on duty” if he is witness to a crime takingplace or hears a call for help.
If stopped by police:
***Do not try to run/speed away.
***Stay calm.
***Do not argue.
***Identify yourself and where you come from.
***If you are arrested ask why.
***Insist that your family is informed about the same.
***You have a right to remain silent and ask for legalcounsel.
***If not arrested leave without arguing or insulting thepolice.
***do you have to accompany police to the policestation? NO. It is good to cooperate with the police butit is not necessary to go to the station unless the police officer is formallyarresting you. If he wants to questionyou or is making inquiries about a crime he has to summon you in writing. Until this is done he cannot force you tocome to the police station.
***what if police do not help you in a distress call? Willful breach or neglect of duty by a policeofficer is punishable with imprisonment. If the police officer is not helpful and you have been harmed, then youcan complain about it to his/her senior. In such a case he may be found guilty, for dereliction of duty andpunished by his seniors.
***what happens if investigations being conducted in ashabby way? If you feel that theinvestigation officer (I.O.) in-charge of a particular matter is moving veryslowly or not conducting an investigation in the right direction that you can complainto a senior officer or to the nearest magistrate who can direct the I.O. toinvestigate the same properly. It isimportant that everything is done in writing and a record of receipt kept withyou.
If your rights are violated:
***Never challenge men in uniform on the street.
***Never threaten police in the course of an enquiry.
***Write down everything you remember, including officer’sbadge and patrol car numbers.
***File a complaint before the Goa Police State ControlAuthority (GPCA).
