Summary
Contents
Subject index
This book explores the sensitive issue of police accountability to civilian oversight bodies to control police excesses. At the center of the discourse lies the tacit acknowledgement that the enormous power and authority invested in the police does lead to corruption and excesses unless adequate checks and balances are installed. The book analyzes these checks and balances and how these can be made more effective. It puts forth a cross-national study of internal and external mechanisms for enforcing police accountability, and critically appraises the effectiveness of civilian oversight bodies. It also touches upon the working of National Human Rights Commission of India.
While supporting the role of civil oversight bodies in enforcing police accountability, the author also discusses scenarios of police resistance which have often paralyzed the functioning of oversight bodies in Australia, Canada, and the United States. As a solution, he recommends that the primary object of an oversight body should not be only to inquire into complaints against police and recommend action against the defaulting officers, but also to highlight systemic inadequacies and recommend changes in policies and procedures.
This book will be extremely valuable to professionals in police academies, public administration and state security commissions, and human rights activists.
Introduction
Introduction
Oxford dictionary defines accountability as “liable to be called to account,” responsibility (to and for). It has also been defined as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's action”.1 In simpler terms, accountability means that a functionary is accountable to be called on to render an account of his commission or omission. Whereas control is contemporaneous with the event, accountability is post-facto in nature. Accountability thus means answerability for proper performance of an assigned job. It further involves more than mere responsibility to discharge duties involved in a job but also includes the responsibility to do so in a manner for the satisfaction of the party for whose benefit the responsibilities are being discharged. In a democracy, police remain ...
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