A Presentation and discussion on “The Role of Police in Public and State Security” was convened at MP-IDSA, New Delhi, on 17 December 2024, featuring Dr. T.K. Vinod Kumar, former DGP & Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Kerala Police, now a faculty member at the University of North Carolina, USA. Dr. Kumar’s insights carried the weight of decades of experience at the frontline of law enforcement. The session was co-chaired by Dr. Uttam K. Sinha, Senior Fellow and Col. DPK Pillay, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.

His presentation unfolded in three distinct parts:

1. The Security Architecture of a Nation – where he dissected the intricate framework that upholds national defence.
2. The Evolution of India’s Security System – tracing the colonial roots that shaped India’s present-day apparatus.
3. The Role of State Police in Independent India – a deep dive into the evolving responsibilities of the Police in a rapidly transforming democracy.

At the outset, Dr. Kumar defined the security architecture of a country as encompassing the structures, policies, and strategies designed to ensure national security. It involves multiple layers and components, including the political-bureaucratic decision-making structure, military and law enforcement, legal and constitutional framework, parliamentary and civil society oversight mechanisms, and community engagement. He explained how the different components of the architecture interact to ensure the security of the state. The presentation focused on the role of the Police as a part of the security architecture.

Dr. Kumar underlined the need for a strong security architecture to address both external and internal threats. While acknowledging historical references to measures taken by rulers in ancient and medieval India to secure their states, Dr. Kumar traced the development of modern security architecture in India from its origins in the British Colonial Period to modern times. He traced the evolution of the Police as an important part of the security architecture from the development of the Indian Police modelled on the Irish Constabulary. He discussed the influence of Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian philosophy on Indian legal and administrative systems, with figures like John Stuart Mill and Thomas Babington Macaulay attempting to lay the foundations of administration in India on the basis of these principles during British colonial India.

According to Dr. Kumar, initial efforts to make the Police the ‘eyes and ears’ of the government by interlocking the rural constable with the village community through the watchman did not meet with success. With the failure of the experiment of depending on the rural constable and the recommendations of the Indian Police Commission (1902-1903), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was set up in 1906, and the subsequent bifurcation of the CID in 1929 into the Crime Branch CID and Special Branch CID to address complex security challenges. The State Special Branch, which was the intelligence wing of the Police, was an institution that played a pivotal role in maintaining colonial control during British rule and in maintaining security and order in a free democratic India. It was an important institution along with others to combat problems of insurgency, extremism, and terrorism in modern-day India. It ensured the security of vital institutions and leaders who were facing security threats for carrying out state policies.

Dr. Kumar further stated that the State Special Branch has evolved into a more complex institution with different structures and nomenclature in different states, according to the needs of each state. However, at the core was an essential police intelligence-gathering and internal security apparatus designed to address modern internal security challenges. He emphasised that the branch’s structure is designed to adapt to evolving threats, including cyber threats, terrorism, and other forms of extremism. He also highlighted the proactive approach of police intelligence gathering, contrasting it with the reactive nature of the criminal justice system, which is crucial for preventing threats before they emerge.

Dr. Kumar then discussed three key types of intelligence gathering: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), which uses publicly available information from sources like media, social media, and public statements; Human Intelligence (HUMINT), which relies on human sources; and Technical Intelligence (TECHINT), which employs technology for data collection. He highlighted the potential for intelligence failures, which can result from resource shortages, poor analysis, lack of cooperation, and ethical issues, stressing the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure effective and reliable responses to preserve internal security and order.

Dr. Sinha continued the discussion, emphasising the distinction between intelligence collection and analysis, noting that the challenge lies in effectively interpreting raw data. He referenced Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, highlighting how power is maintained through compliance and force. Dr. Kumar discussed the under-appreciation of the role of the State Special Branch and stressed the need for better research and policy analyses to improve the existing systems. Col. Vivek Chadha raised concerns about resistance to police reforms, while Dr. Kumar argued the need for empirical studies to put police reforms in the right direction. Dr. Adil Rasheed brought up the challenge of balancing individual liberties with government authority, referencing Thomas Paine’s critique of government. Dr. Kumar highlighted the post-9/11 surge in surveillance and corporate influence on governments, also stressing the importance of the free press and an enlightened population to ensure that state security measures are balanced with individual rights. The discussion then touched on ISIS-affiliated extremism, concerns over Hindu-Muslim unity, and the methodology used in intelligence research. The impact of technology, Artificial Intelligence, and socio-political polarisation on social cohesion was also discussed.

Dr. Sinha concluded the session by discussing the need for efficient but responsible state machinery for preserving security and freedoms in the country. Dr. Kumar agreed and underlined the role of research institutions and think tanks for achieving these goals. This insight brought the discussion to a thought-provoking and reflective conclusion.

The report was prepared by Ms. Ishaani Singh, Intern, Non-Traditional Security Centre, MP-IDSA, New Delhi.