Graduate Constables, CI Havildars Can Investigate Criminal Cases

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha on Friday approved the proposal of allowing investigation of certain cases by qualified Graduate Constables and Criminal Intelligence Havildars of Odisha Police.

The Graduate Constables and CI Havildars can now proceed to the spot to investigate facts and circumstances of the case and if necessary, take measures for the recovery and arrest of the offenders.

DGP Dr R P Sharma had earlier given a proposal in this regard to the government. The Government approved the proposal after thorough and careful examination. Dr Sharma expressed satisfaction over this decision of the government and hoped that it would help in prompt and quality investigation of cases with massive backlog clearance at the police station level. It would also help in increasing the conviction rate, which is not encouraging at present due to paucity of quality investigation officers in the State Police Force.

These Graduate Constables and CI Havildars can now be given the charge of investigation of petty offences having punishment up to three years like the Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act-1955, the Odisha Fire Works and Loud-Speaker (Regulation) Act-1958, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act-2015, moter cycle theft, cases under Excise Act and other local Acts etc.

For effective implementation of the order, the Graduate Constables and CI Havildars will be trained in all aspects of investigation, starting from registration of an FIR, writing of case diaries to submission of the final form.

There will be four to five weeks of institutional training at any recognised Police Training Institution. After this, they will be given field training in the police station for a period of at least 45 days.

According to sources, an examination will be conducted after completion of the training and power of investigation will be conferred to the eligible Graduate Havildar and Constables who successfully qualify the examination.

This will also a big morale booster to personnel in these ranks and will improve the overall team spirit, added Dr Sharma.