In India, police laws are governed by various central and state legislations. Key laws include:
1.The Police Act, 1861: It is the foundational law for police functioning in India, establishing police hierarchy and administrative control.
2.The Model Police Act, 2006: Aimed at modernizing police forces and improving accountability, it encourages community policing and better police-public relations.
3.The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973: Defines police powers for investigation, arrest, and detention, including mandatory registration of FIRs and powers of arrest without a warrant.
Additionally, laws like the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and directives from the Supreme Court's Police Reforms Directions (2006) shape police conduct, ensuring better accountability and human rights protections. Special laws such as the AFSPA, UAPA, and the NDPS Act grant police additional powers in specific circumstances. States also have their own police laws to regulate local law enforcement.
