IPS officers pressuring government to form police commissionerates with magisterial powers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The IPS officers are putting pressure on the government to form Police Commissionerates in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi with magisterial powers. A report prepared under the leadership of DIG Nishanthini was submitted to the government, explaining that there is less crime in 69 cities where there are commissionerates that make the rule of law more effective.

In other places, the powers of District Magistrate and Executive Magistrate are vested in Police Commissioner of IG rank. The formation of Commissionerate in Kerala has been frozen due to the concern that the police will exercise excessive power.

The Cabinet decided to form the Commissionerates in January, 2013. When the Pinarayi government was about to implement it in 2019, there was opposition even from the front. In both places, IGs were appointed as commissioners but no powers were given.If the government is concerned, the DGP has recommended setting up a commissionerate with only the power to impose goonda act.