The evolution of the Indian police: From colonial legacy to contemporary challenges

All civil governments hold a criminal justice system to maintain the values of their civilized society. The criminal justice system administers the standard of behavior required to protect individuals in the society. The process of criminal justice operates by apprehending, prosecuting, convicting and sentencing those members of the society who violate the basic rules of social living. The role of police is decisive because the policeman is the first to arrive on the scene of crime. Police, first and foremost, work extensively to maintain discipline and prevent crime, make preventive arrests, conduct investigations and detection, control crowds, control public in festivals, prevent riots and manage vehicle traffic etc. Like this, the police play a wide range of functions. In this study, the researcher has tried to explain all aspects of police in an analytical way in India.