Why In The News?

• Assam Police personnel will undergo their annual Body Mass Index (BMI) test for the second consecutive year starting August 16.
• In a push for professionalism, the force initiated the ambitious BMI testing last year, with the DGP leading by example.
• In 2023, a total of 70,161 personnel participated in the test, with 1,748 failing due to BMI readings exceeding 30.
• While announcing the BMI test, the DGP had said those who fail after the second phase will be sent to voluntary retirement.

Important reforms to brought:-

1. For work life balance

• Two-shift duty hours to police personnel. One shift will be of 12 hours.
• One-month special leave to that personnel posted at different battalions to enable them to live with their families.

2. Strengthen Security

• 10 battalions of special Commandos to be developed in line with NSG commandos.
• This will help in countering insurgency and bring peace and security in the state.

3. Welfare of Police personnel

• Free compulsory annual health check-up facilities
• Well developed police colonies with all basic amenities.

4. Assam Cyberdrome Project- To counter Cyber Terrorism

5. Project MOITRI- To Modernise Police stations

6. Child Friendly Police Station in Assam

• Bharalumukh police station-Assam’s first child friendly police station was established in 2018.
• Another child friendly police station has been established in Mangaldoi district.

7. Assam Police launches its official Youtube channel ‘The Assam Police Channel,'

8. Assam Police (Amendment) Act, 2021

• It sought to amend the relevant sections of the Assam Police Act, 2007.
• According to it power and functions of the State level Police Accountability Commission are clearly defined so that “the provisions are in consonance with the judgement of Supreme Court of India in Prakash Singh Case 2006.”

State level Police Accountability Commission:

=> The State-level Police Accountability Commission will take cases related to serious misconduct of police like fake encounters, custodial torture and death etc.

=> The police accountability commission will entertain any complaint filed by a victim or other person on behalf of a victim.

DGP N Changkakoti Committee on appointment:

=> Constituted in 2002 regarding appointment of police personnel in Assam.

Some important recommendations-

• Every year, the Director General of Police should constitute a selection board headed by a senior DIG, another DIG, one Superintendent of Police, one commandant and a psychologist.
• The notification for filling up of vacancies should be issued in the first fortnight of July every year so that the selection process can be completed within that year.
• Training of the selected candidates should start in January.
• The government or the DGP should have no power to relax the educational qualification, age limit, physical standards, etc.