The challenge of law enforcement post COVID19

Context: Although there is a dip in crime activities during the pandemic, new forms of crimes are emerging. Post-COVID, police will have to find new ways to tackle challenges in maintaining law and order.

Changing crime scenarios:

• Overall Drop in Crime: due to zero traffic and anti-social elements confined to their homes (Delhi Police reported a 70% decline in heinous crimes)
• Rise in Domestic Violence: due to unemployment and non-availability of liquor. Highlights vulnerability of girls and women during epidemics.
• Transforming organized crime: innovative methods to tap into illicit markets like making profits through the sale of prescription drugs.
• Increased cybercrime: donations for the cause of combating COVID are under threat.
• Keeping prison virus-free: Supreme Court has asked all the state to form a high-powered committee to consider releasing convicts who have been jailed up to 7 years.

Way Forward

• Introspect: Drafting a Standard Operating Procedure for the future based on the recent experience of the pandemic.
• Public cooperation: has helped the resource-starved police system in maintaining law and order during the pandemic. This experience should act as a building block for future police-public relations.
• Think of new ways: to deal with new challenges in an innovative manner.