Status of Women Police in India: An Analytical Study of Uttar Pradesh State Police

Abstract

Despite a number of efforts by the Government to increase the representation of women in police, it has continued to be relatively sluggish. The Government's data shows that there were a total of 2,17,026 women in police forces, which made up 10.5 percent of the entire police force in the country. Very few women police are recruited for leadership positions. The reasons behind the lesser representation of women police in the police department include the working conditions, societal status of women, recruitment rules, retention and promotion discrimination, inadequate infrastructure, and the police image in society etc. Article 355 of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India mandates the Union to safeguard each State from both internal and external disturbances. The responsibility for public order crimes and law enforcement falls under the State's jurisdiction, as designated by Article 246 of the Constitution. Therefore, each State has to establish a police force capable of enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and ensuring the safety of its citizens. The United Nations report underscores the importance of women in the police force, noting that the current ratio of 137 police per lakh population falls short of the required 181 police per lakh population. The United Nations recommends a ratio of 222 police per lakh population, a goal that we are currently far from achieving. The present paper provides police data along with the strength of the women police in India. This also highlights the various committees' recommendations for women's policing and the development of the police force through equality and quality of women working in the police system. Some crucial suggestions and recommendations have been provided to increase the recruitment of women in police organisations.