The armed police in the British colonial tradition

The model of policing which originated in Ireland was designed to police a foreign land and is known as the colonial system. Describes the influence of the colonial model in the development of the armed police in India, used for order maintenance rather than the prevention and detection of crime. Contrasts with the Metropolitan Police system are drawn and the history of the Indian police is outlined. Although successful in protecting British commercial and political interests in the past it no longer serves the more recent needs of India, e.g. dealing with underlying social problems, allowing democratic ideals and freedom. A civilian model needs to be developed.