Police OrganisationClass 9 Defence Studies Chapter 8 Notes – Maharashtra Board

Summary: Police Organisation

Every state has its own police to keep law and order. In addition, the State and Central governments keep extra police resources that can be used during emergencies, natural disasters, festivals and elections.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), formed on 27 July 1939, works directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is the largest central armed police force. It is headed by a Director General and, as the book says, has 240 battalions including 6 women's battalions. It restores order, gives disaster relief, fights insurgency and helps the armed forces in war.

Each state has its own State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police. Its battalions, made up of people from that state, stay in camps for special training and help the local police; in war they guard the rear.

The Home Guard, set up in 1948 under the MHA, is a volunteer force of men and women from all walks of life who serve in their spare time. It has rural and urban wings, works under the Home Guard Act, is headed in each state by a Commandant General and helps with law and order, traffic, festivals, elections, welfare schemes and disaster relief.

Civil Defence aims to save lives, reduce damage to property and keep essential services and industry running during an enemy air attack. It is planned nationally but organised by each state, at national, state and district levels, with a small permanent staff and many skilled volunteers.

Key points to remember

• Each state has its own police; extra reserves exist at state and central level
• CRPF: 27 July 1939, directly under MHA, largest central armed police force
• CRPF headed by a Director General; 240 battalions incl. 6 women's battalions (as the book says)
• SRPF: state-level reserve, headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police
• SRPF battalions live and train in camps; rear protection in war
• Home Guard: 1948, MHA, volunteers serving in spare time; rural and urban
• Home Guard headed in each state by the Commandant General; works under the Home Guard Act
• Home Guard training: 10–42 day orientation, weekly drill, 8-day annual refresher
• Civil Defence: protects lives and property from enemy air attack
• Civil Defence levels: national (Director General), state (Director), district

Police Organisation – Notes

1. Why extra police forces?

• Many police forces work to keep internal security and law and order in India.
• Each state of India has its own police force for everyday policing.
• Besides this, both the State and the Central governments keep reserve police resources.
• These can be sent in during an emergency or natural disaster, or to help the administration during big events such as festivals and elections.
• Four such organisations are described: CRPF, SRPF, Home Guard and Civil Defence.

2. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

• Works directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Came into being on 27 July 1939 and is the largest of the central armed police forces.
• Headed by a Director General.
• As the book says, it has 240 battalions, including 6 women's battalions, and is deployed all over the country in different roles. It has given outstanding service to the nation.
• Roles: (1) help a state or Union Territory restore order when law and order breaks down; (2) relief and rescue in natural calamities; (3) anti-insurgency operations against anti-national and separatist groups; (4) assist the armed forces in war.

3. State Reserve Police Force (SRPF)

• Like the CRPF at the national level, each state has its own SRPF battalions, made up of people from that state.
• Headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police.
• It is a reserve force that the state government can use to help the local police maintain law and order.
• Its battalions are kept together in camps within the state, where they get special training.
• In war they are given rear-area protection duties.
• Roles: (1) act against anti-social elements; (2) help the local police when called; (3) anti-insurgency operations against anti-national and separatist groups.

4. Home Guard

• Set up in 1948 under the MHA and present in all states and Union Territories.
• Main aim: to help the administration and society in emergencies or whenever asked.
• It is made up of local volunteers — men and women from every section of society — who give their spare time. This gives the force many different skills.
• Two types: rural and urban. It works according to the Home Guard Act.
• Headed at state level by the Commandant General, Home Guard, and organised region-wise down to district and taluka level.
• Training: an initial orientation camp of 10 to 42 days, a weekly drill and an 8-day refresher camp every year.
• Roles: (1) help with law and order, traffic control and protecting public property; (2) help carry out state and central social welfare schemes; (3) keep order at festivals, elections and large public events; (4) give relief in natural calamities, riots and terrorist violence; (5) help keep communal harmony and good order.

5. Civil Defence

• Aim: in case of an enemy air attack, save lives, reduce damage to property and keep essential services and industrial production going.
• In a big country like India, civil defence is planned at the national level, but each state government organises it within the state.
• Head at the national level: Director General, Civil Defence; each state organisation is headed by a Director, Civil Defence.
• Three levels: national, state and district.
• A small permanent core staff is helped by volunteers with special skills — retired defence personnel, post and telecom staff, medical and health workers, engineers, social workers and others.
• Roles: (1) defuse bombs and explosives dropped by the enemy; (2) keep communication lines working; (3) enforce blackouts in cities; (4) help people injured in attacks; (5) fight fires and rescue people; (6) protect public property; (7) set up welfare centres.

Police and support organisations

Key terms

Police Organisation – Flashcards

Read the question, answer it in your head, then tap the card to check. 20 cards.

Police Organisation – MCQ Quiz

15 questions. Tap an option — you will see at once if it is right and why.

How to study Police Organisation

⏱ About 25 minutes

1. Understand (8 min)
   Read why the regular state police need backing, then see how CRPF (central), SRPF (state), Home Guard (volunteers) and Civil Defence (air-attack protection) differ.
2. Remember (9 min)
   Learn the table: control, head and three roles of each organisation, plus key dates — CRPF 1939, Home Guard 1948.
3. Practise (8 min)
   Answer the 'Try it yourself' questions, take the quiz and play 🎮 Play.