Legal jurisdiction State of Kerala | ||
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Motto മൃദു ഭാവെ ദൃഢ കൃത്യേMridhu Bhave Dhrida Kruthye(Sanskrit for "Soft in Temperament, Firm in Action") Legal personality Governmental: Government agency General nature Law enforcementLocal civilian police | ||
The Kerala Police is the law enforcement agency for the Indian state of Kerala. Kerala Police has its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. Current Chief of the force is Loknath Behra, IPS.
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History
There is no authoritative record on the history of Police in ancient Kerala. The literary works of the Sangam period, namely Akamkrithikal, Pathittipattu and Chilppathikaram, depict the ancient policing system. The feudal system which existed in ancient Kerala gave way to a new structure under the Cheras, comprising Thara, Desomand Nadu ruled by Madampi, Desavazhi and Naduvazhi respectively. The semblance of a modern police force was created in the late 19th century in Travancore under the British rule. There was no unified geographical entity as 'Kerala' before 1956. The present Kerala Police was formed in the same year by re-organizing and merging of police forces in Travancore-Cochin States and the British Malabar State.
Governance
State police Chief is an IPS official with the rank of Director general of police. For the proper administration the Geographical area of state is bifurcated as South Zone and North Zone which is headed by Additional Director General of Police. Further, each zone is dived into two ranges viz Thiruvananthapuram Range & Ernakulam Range, Thrissur Range & Kannur Range respectively which is headed by an Inspector general of Police. There are five Police Commissionerates and 14 Police districts which are headed by District Police Chiefs, rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police / Superintendent of Police ranks as the case is. The Additional Director General of Police are in charge of a particular function like Administration Headquarters, Modernization, PCR, CBCID, Intelligence, Traffic and Training.
Training
Police training is an important aspect in the administration of State police and it is headed by Addl. DGP (Training) and Director, Kerala Police Academy. The training of IPS officers after completion of their training at National Police Academy, Hyderabad, probationary Dy.SPs, probationary SI is carried out by Police Training College, Thiruvananthapuram. Head Constables who are promoted to ASI/SI ranks are also trained in Police Training college. In addition, in-service/reorientation/ capsule courses are conducted for officers of and above the rank of SI in Police Training College. The constables induction training is given in the Armed Police Battalions for 9 months. The induction training of SIs in the Police Training College is one year. The IPS officer trainees on reporting to the State, they undergo training in Police Standing Orders, Special and Local Acts, Treasury Code, etc. at Police Training College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Police Academy (KEPA), Thrissur is headed by Director in the rank of Addl. Director. He is assisted by joint Director in the rank of DIG. The Academy will cater to the training needs of all officers of police department including IPS officers
Crime Branch
Crime Branch Crime Investigation Department (CBCID) is the specialized investigation wing of Kerala Police which investigates cases that are entrusted to it by the State Police Chief or the Government or the High Court of Kerala. They investigate sensational crimes or complicated and serious offences which have statewide ramifications or undetected, which the local police are not able to investigate properly for want of time or skills.
CBCID consists of 3 major wings divided based on the category of cases reported.
Armed Police
Kerala Police has got ten battalions of armed police. "Armed Police" is a slightly confusing nomenclature that has continued for historical reasons. It does not mean that the district police are unarmed. Functionally, the armed police battalions serve as reserve force to be deployed whenever and wherever the district police fall short of manpower in the maintenance of law & order. When so deployed, they function under the control of the district police officers and are returned to their camps as soon as the requirement is over. Unlike district police, they are not permitted to undertake crime investigation work.
The ten battalions with a total strength of about 6,755 are located at different places in the state. They are:
The Hi-Tech Crime Enquiry Cell
The Hi-Tech Crime Enquiry Cell or cyber cell as it is often called, had been created to prevent and detect serious and organized Cybercrimes with assistance from other government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and foreign counterparts. Cyber Cell generally enquire into matters such as Hacking of websites, Online cheating, email hacking, Nigerian Scams, Phishing, Source code theft, identity theft, Child pornography, Social media abuse, Mobile phone abuse, loss/theft of mobile phone and a growing list of Computer, Internet and mobile phone facilitated crimes.
Innovative iniatives
Some of the innovative iniatives of Kerala Police include CCTNS (Criminal Crime Tracking Network System), 'Janamythri' community policing programme, Clean campus safe campus programme, Student police cadet, Cyberdome, Sabarimala virtual queue, Subhatathra, Nirbhaya and Pink Patrol.