Karnataka Gives Retired DGP-Led Panels Two Months For Police Reform Roadmap

Karnataka’s Home Department has set a two-month timeline for three retired DGP-led panels to submit specific recommendations on police reforms, covering service delivery, modernisation and cadre-related rules.

Three panels, serving officers as members

The committees will be led by former police chief R.K. Dutta and retired DGPs M.N. Reddi and Kamal Pant, while serving officers will be their members.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday that Mr. Dutta will head the committee tasked with a comprehensive review of police services.

That panel has been asked to recommend measures to make police services more efficient, prompt, transparent, citizen-friendly and technology-driven.

Its review will cover services provided by the police, including registration of FIRs, receipt of complaints, functioning of police stations, emergency services, reporting of lost property, cybercrime complaints, permissions and certificates.

The committee will also recommend key performance indicators and a regular review mechanism to assess the quality of police services.

It will examine the introduction of a Citizens’ Charter that specifies service standards, including the time and procedure within which various police services should be provided to citizens.

Modernisation plan for technology and emergency systems

Mr. Reddi, former Bengaluru Police Commissioner, will lead the committee assigned to review the Police Department’s infrastructure and capabilities.

Mr. Kharge said this committee will prepare a comprehensive modernisation plan focusing on technology, artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and other emerging requirements.

The panel will examine the scope for upgrading emergency response systems, control rooms and the 112 service.

It will also review the strengthening of forensic laboratories and requirements relating to police vehicles and other mobility infrastructure.

The committee will study the potential use of artificial intelligence in policing and the computerisation of various departmental functions.

It will also assess requirements for hardware and communication equipment, along with the establishment of police training academies at the State and regional levels.

Cadre structure, recruitment and promotions under review

Mr. Pant, former Bengaluru Police Commissioner, will lead the committee that will comprehensively review the department’s cadre structure, classification and strength of posts, and recruitment rules.

Mr. Kharge said this review will be carried out in line with the department’s present workload and future requirements.

The committee will review recruitment procedures and eligibility criteria.

It will also examine measures to strengthen training and capacity-building systems and support the professional development of police personnel.

The panel will examine promotion opportunities, career progression and mobility across different levels of the police hierarchy.

It will assess the need for creating new posts and reclassifying existing positions.

The committee will also review the structure of police posts in relation to reservation requirements and formulate a recruitment plan.

The formation of the three committees matters because the Home Department has separated the reform exercise into police services, police modernisation and police C&R rules, with each panel assigned a distinct area for review and recommendations.

The scope of the exercise extends from citizen-facing services such as FIR registration, complaints and emergency response to internal questions such as recruitment rules, cadre structure, training, promotions and new posts.

The source information was published on September 29, 2026, at 12:16 am IST.

Source: The Hindu