Powers and authorities of police

1. Powers of Police
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 confers important powers on police
officers. Power to investigate, search and arrest are some of the powers.
• Registering FIR- Police has power to lodge FIR. Section 154 of the Code
of Criminal Procedure, 1973 says that police has to record the information
related to any cognizable offence.
• Power to investigate and procedure of investigation- Section 156 gives the
power to police officer to investigate any cognizable offence without the
order of a Magistrate and the proceedings of the police cannot be called in
question on the ground that this section does not empower police officer
to investigate.
For investigation as mentioned under Section 156 of the Code, the police has to
send a report to the Magistrate first and then start the investigation. The police
officer on completion of investigation has to send the police report as per Section
173(2). The police report should contain the following:
• Investigation in non- cognizable offences can be carried out by police after
an order has been passed by the Magistrate.
• Power to inquire and report on suicide- Section 174 of the Code empowers
police to inquire and report the cases of suicide, or when has been killed by
another person, by an animal, machinery, accident or has died under
circumstances raising reasonable suspicion that some other person has
committed an offence.
• Power to require attendance of witnesses- According to Section 160(1) of the
Code, police can order the witnesses (except the ones mentioned in the
proviso to Section 160(1)) to present before himself or any other person
provided the order is in writing, the person is acquainted with the facts of
case and person is within the limits of police station.
• Power of preventive arrest- Section 151 of the Code empowers police to
arrest a person without the orders of Magistrate if it appears to the police that
the person is planning to commit any cognizable offence.
• Maintenance of Law and Order: The primary responsibility of the police is
to enforce the law, prevent crime, and maintain public order. This includes:
Patrolling streets and public spaces Responding to emergencies and

2. complaints Investigating crimes and apprehending suspects Maintaining
traffic rules and regulations Controlling crowds and managing civil unrest
• Investigation and Arrest: Police officers have the power to arrest individuals
suspected of committing a crime without a warrant in certain situations. They
can also conduct searches and seizures under specific provisions of the law.
• Detention and Interrogation: The police can detain individuals for
questioning for a limited period of time. However, they must follow strict
procedures and inform the detainee of their rights, including the right to legal
counsel.
• Use of Force: Police officers are authorized to use reasonable force to
restrain individuals, prevent crime, or protect themselves and others.
However, the use of force must be proportionate to the situation and adhere
to legal guidelines.
Authorities of the police
• Law Enforcement: Enforcing laws and maintaining public order.
• Crime Prevention: Taking measures to prevent crime and ensure public
safety.
• Investigation: Conducting investigations into criminal activities.
• Arrest: Having the authority to arrest individuals suspected of committing
crimes.
• Search and Seizure: Conducting searches and seizing evidence with proper
legal authorization.
• Traffic Control: Regulating traffic and enforcing traffic laws.
• Crowd Control: Managing large gatherings and protests to prevent
disturbances.
• Emergency Response: Responding to emergencies such as accidents,
natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.
• Community Policing: Building relationships with communities to address
local concerns and improve trust.
• Public Assistance: Assisting the public with non-criminal matters such as
providing directions or helping stranded motorists.
• Legal Advice: Providing advice and assistance to the public on legal
matters.
• Court Appearance: Presenting evidence and testimony in court proceedings.
• Witness Protection: Protecting witnesses involved in criminal cases.

3. • Patrolling: Regularly patrolling assigned areas to deter criminal activity and
ensure public safety.
• Training and Development: Continuously training officers to ensure they
are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their
duties effectively
SPAN OF CONTROL
In police administration, the span of control refers to the number of officers or
units that a police supervisor or commander can effectively oversee and manage.
The optimal span of control in police departments can vary based on several
factors:
• Size of the Department: Larger police departments may require narrower
spans of control to ensure effective supervision and coordination.
• Geographic Area: The size and complexity of the geographic area that the
department serves can influence the span of control. Urban areas with
higher population densities may require narrower spans of control to
address the higher volume of incidents and activities.
• Organizational Structure: The hierarchical structure of the police
department, including the number of levels of command, can impact the
span of control. More levels of command typically allow for narrower
spans of control at each level
• Nature of Duties: The nature of police duties, such as patrol, investigations,
specialized units, and community engagement, can also affect the span of
control. Some units or tasks may require more intensive supervision than
others.
• Technology and Resources: The availability of technology and resources,
such as communication systems, data analysis tools, and personnel, can
influence the span of control by enabling more efficient coordination and
communication.
• Training and Support: The level of training and support provided to
supervisors can impact their ability to effectively manage larger spans of
control. Well-trained supervisors may be able to oversee more officers
effectively.

4. • Overall, finding the optimal span of control in police administration is
crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness, ensuring officer safety,
and providing effective law enforcement services to the community. It
requires balancing the need for supervision and accountability with
operational efficiency and resource constraints.
UNITY OF COMMAND
• Unity of command is a fundamental principle in police organizations that
establishes a clear chain of command, ensuring that each member of the
police force receives orders and instructions from only one superior officer.
• Unity of command dictates that each police officer reports to and receives
orders from only one superior, thereby avoiding confusion and ensuring
efficient communication and decision-making within the organization.
• Clarity and Direction
Unity of command provides clear lines of authority and direction for police
officers, ensuring that they understand their roles, responsibilities, and who
they report to for guidance and instructions. This clarity minimizes
confusion and ambiguity in operational tasks.
• Coordination and Efficiency
By centralizing decision-making authority, unity of command facilitates
coordination among police units and enhances operational efficiency. It
allows for swift responses to emergencies and effective allocation of
resources, leading to better overall performance
• Discipline and Accountability
Unity of command fosters discipline by establishing a clear authority
structure and ensuring adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
Additionally, it enhances accountability by enabling supervisors to oversee
the actions of their subordinates and hold them accountable for their
conduct and performance.
• Examples and Case Studies

5. • Example 1: The New York City Police Department (NYPD) implements
unity of command to ensure efficient policing across its various precincts.
• Example 2: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) adheres to unity
of command principles to maintain order and coordination in its operations
nationwide.
• Example 3: The London Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) utilizes unity
of command to effectively manage its large workforce and diverse policing
responsibilities.
• Unity of command plays a crucial role in enhancing organizational
effectiveness, coordination, discipline, and accountability within police
organizations. By adhering to this principle, law enforcement agencies can
better fulfil their mission of serving and protecting the community.
Recruitment and training are vital components in shaping an effective and
professional police force:
Recruitment: Police departments often have stringent recruitment processes to
ensure they select candidates with the right qualities. This includes assessing
traits like integrity, problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and a
commitment to public service. Recruiting diverse candidates also helps in
building trust and understanding within the community.
• Application: Candidates submit applications either online or through a
physical application process. They provide personal information, education
history, employment background, and any relevant qualifications.
• Initial Screening: This stage involves reviewing applications to ensure
candidates meet basic eligibility criteria such as age, education level, and
citizenship requirements. Background checks may also be conducted at this
stage.
• Written Examination: Candidates often take a written exam to assess their
knowledge of subjects relevant to police work, such as law, ethics, and
procedures. The exam may include multiple-choice questions, essays, or
scenario-based questions.

6. • Physical Fitness Test: Candidates undergo a physical fitness assessment to
ensure they meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the duties
of a police officer. This may include tests of strength, endurance, agility,
and cardiovascular fitness.
• Interview: Candidates who pass the initial stages are typically invited to
participate in one or more interviews. These interviews may be conducted
by a panel of law enforcement officials and assess the candidate’s
communication skills, problem-solving abilities, ethical judgment, and
suitability for the role.
• Background Investigation: A thorough background investigation is
conducted to verify the candidate’s employment history, criminal record,
financial status, and personal references. This helps ensure the candidate’s
integrity and suitability for a career in law enforcement.
• Psychological Evaluation: Candidates undergo psychological assessments
to evaluate their emotional stability, stress tolerance, decision-making
skills, and overall mental health. This assessment helps identify candidates
who are psychologically suited for the demands of police work.
• Medical Examination: Candidates undergo a medical examination to assess
their physical health and ability to perform the essential duties of a police
officer safely. This may include tests of vision, hearing, mobility, and
overall health.
• Training Academy: Candidates who successfully complete the recruitment
process are typically required to attend a police training academy. Here,
they undergo rigorous training in areas such as law enforcement tactics,
firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, emergency response, and
community policing principles.
• Probationary Period: Upon graduation from the training academy, new
officers often enter a probationary period during which their performance is
closely monitored. This period allows for further evaluation of the officer’s
suitability for the job before they are fully sworn in as police officers.

7. Training: Police training encompasses various aspects, including legal
knowledge, conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, use of force protocols,
cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. Continuous training is essential
to keep officers updated on new laws, technologies, and best practices.
Additionally, specialized training for roles like detectives, SWAT teams, or crisis
negotiators ensures that officers are equipped to handle diverse situations
effectively.
• Learning the Law: Officers are taught about the laws they need to enforce,
like traffic rules and criminal codes.
• Using Firearms: They are trained on how to safely handle and use guns.
• Self-Defence: Officers learn physical techniques to protect themselves and
others if a situation turns violent.
• Handling Emergencies: They are taught how to respond to accidents,
natural disasters, or other crises.
• Building Relationships: Training includes how to interact positively with
the community and understand different cultures.
• Being Ethical: Officers learn about doing their job with honesty, integrity,
and fairness.
• Keeping Up-to-Date: Training doesn’t stop; officers continue learning
about new laws, techniques, and ways to improve their skills.
Superintendence, control, organization, and management of police
The superintendence, control, organization, and management of police
encompass various critical aspects of law enforcement administration. To
elaborate further and address each element in detail:
• Superintendence: This refers to the oversight and direction provided by
higher authorities, such as police chiefs or commissioners, to ensure that
the department operates efficiently and effectively. Superintendence
involves setting strategic goals, policies, and priorities, as well as
monitoring performance and making necessary adjustments to achieve
objectives.
• Control: Control involves establishing mechanisms to regulate and monitor
police activities to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and

8. departmental policies. This includes implementing internal controls,
conducting audits and inspections, and addressing misconduct or deviations
from established procedures through disciplinary actions or corrective
measures.
• Organization: Organizing the police department involves structuring it into
functional units or divisions, such as patrol, investigations, traffic, special
operations, and administrative services. Effective organization facilitates
specialization, coordination, and the efficient use of resources to address
various law enforcement challenges and priorities.
• Management: Management encompasses a range of activities, including
planning, budgeting, staffing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating police
operations. This includes developing strategic plans, allocating financial
and human resources, setting performance targets, providing leadership and
supervision, fostering teamwork, and assessing outcomes to continuously
improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of the police department.