Law enforcement agencies in India are tasked with upholding social order, maintaining law and order, and ensuring public safety through various state and central agencies. The evolution of these agencies has progressed from colonial origins to modern reforms, including the establishment of specialized forces and the adoption of advanced technologies for crime prevention and investigation. The core functions of the police include enforcing laws, protecting citizens, preventing crimes, and providing emergency assistance, while legislative reforms have emphasized improving police autonomy and accountability.

1. Function of law enforcement
agencies
By Prof. Nivya George

2. • Definition: Law enforcement agencies are organisations that are responsible for
upholding the social order and implementing the law.
• Maintenance of Law and Order: Law enforcement in India is required to keep law
and order in the nation.
• Numerous Agencies: Indian law is enforced by a wide number of Central and State
agencies that are responsible with maintaining public order, preventing and
investigating crimes along with ensuring safety of citizens. ,
• Federal Agencies: Indian Constitution delegates the maintenance of law and order
primarily to the states and union territories.

3. The Evolution of Law Enforcement Agencies in India from Colonial Roots to Modern
Reforms
Historical, colonial laws, and post-independence events have shaped the evolution of law enforcement
agencies in India:
• Colonial Era: Colonial Police Forces in India and the Impact of the Indian Police Act of 1861
• Formalization of Police Agencies: The British established police forces in various regions, such as the
Bengal Police Force which was formed in 1861, the Madras Police Force formed in 1861, and the
Bombay Police force formed in 1672.
• Internal Reforms: The Indian Police Act of 1861 formalized the structure and functioning of police
forces, emphasizing their need to suppress internal revolts by native Indians and also serving the
colonial interests.
• Post-Independence Era: The Indian Police Act of 1948
• Indian Police Act 1948: In 1948, the Indian government enacted the Indian Police Act, 1948, which
served as a framework for police organization and functioning of enforcement agencies.

4. • Power to State: State police forces were established with an
agenda to maintain law and order within their respective
territorial jurisdictions.
• Specialized Centralised Agencies: Specialised Centralised
Agencies in India’s Security Landscape
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): It was established in
1963 as an elite force playing a major role in preservation of
values in public life and in ensuring the health of the national
economy
• Border Security Force (BSF): It was established in 1965 to
safeguard and protect India’s International borders.
• National Security Guard (NSG): It was formed in 1984 as a
specialized counter-terrorism department of India.

5. • Technological Advancements: Crime Prevention and Investigation
by Law Enforcement Agencies
• Use of Information and Communication Technology: Law
enforcement agencies have upgraded to the latest technological
advancements, incorporating tools like forensic scientific analysis,
and digital surveillance.
• Improving Efficiency of Investigation: The use of such modern
communication systems has helped to improve the effectiveness of
Enforcement agencies in crime prevention and investigation.
• Legislative Changes and Reforms:
• Restructuring Organization: Various committees have
recommended reforms in police structure, emphasizing the need
for police autonomy, accountability, and citizen-centric procedure.

6. Role, Functions and
Duties of the Police in
General

7. 1.to uphold and enforce the law impartially, and to
protect life, liberty, property, human rights, and
dignity of the members of the public
2.to promote and preserve public order
3.to protect internal security, to prevent and control
terrorist activities, breaches of communal harmony,
militant activities an other situations affecting Internal
Security
4.to protect public properties including roads, railways,
bridges, vital installations and establishments etc.
against acts of vandalism, violence or any kind of

8. 5. to prevent crimes, and reduce the opportunities for the commission of
crimes through their own preventive action and measures as well as by
aiding and cooperating with other relevant agencies in implementing due
measures for 2 prevention of crimes
6. to accurately register all complaints brought to them by a complainant or
his representative, in person or received by post, e-mail or other means, and
take prompt follow-up action thereon, after duly acknowledging the receipt
of the complaint

9. 7. to register and investigate all cognizable offences
coming to their notice through such complaints or
otherwise, duly supplying a copy of the First
Information Report to the complainant, and where
appropriate, to apprehend offenders, and extend
requisite assistance in the prosecution of offenders
8. to create and maintain a feeling of security in the
community, and as far as possible prevent conflicts
and promote amity

10. 9. to provide, as first responders, all possible help to
people in situations arising out of natural or man-made
disasters, and to provide active assistance to other
agencies in relief and rehabilitation measures
10. to aid individual, who are in danger of physical harm
to their person or property, and to provide necessary
help and afford relief to people in distress situations

11. 11. to facilitate orderly movement of people and vehicles, and to
control and regulate traffic on roads and highways
12. to collect intelligence relating to matters affecting public peace,
and all kind of crimes including social offences, communalism,
extremism, terrorism and other matters relating to national security,
and disseminate the same to all concerned agencies, besides acting, as
appropriate on it themselves.

12. 13. To take charge, as a police officer on
duty, of all unclaimed property and take
action for their safe custody and disposal in
accordance with the procedure prescribed.
14. To train, motivate and ensure welfare of
police personnel