Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D or BPRD) has been in existence for more than 50 years now. It traces its establishment to August 28, 1970. Functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the BPRD is tasked with modernizing police forces. The headquarters of the agency is in New Delhi.

When the BPRD came into existence, it replaced the Police Research, and Advisory Council set up in 1966. Over the years, the agency has evolved into a versatile consultancy organization. In this article, we shall focus on the history, evolution, objective, and responsibilities of the BPRD.

Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD] - Overview

• The BPRD is a federal law enforcement agency.
• Initially, the BPRD began functioning with just two divisions:
• Research, Statistics, and Publication
• Development
• The Training Division of the BPRD was set up in 1973 based on the recommendations of the Gore Committee (1971).
• Established under the supervision of the BPRD, the Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (ICFS) began functioning as an independent entity in 1976.
• In 1995, the Government of India entrusted the responsibility of addressing the issues concerning Correctional Administration Work to the BPRD. It involved prisons and the implementation of reforms in prisons.
• The Government of India set up the National Police Mission under the BPRD in 2008. The purpose was to turn the police forces into proper instruments for maintaining internal security by equipping them with the necessary resources.
• In 1986, the statistics and publications work handled by the BPRD was entrusted to the newly constituted National Crime Records Bureau.
• Today the agency has four divisions– Research, Training, Development, and Correctional Administration. A fifth division, the National Police Mission, is in the making.
• The logo of the BPRD has the initials of the Bureau placed within a circle and the National Emblem of India sitting atop the circle. The motto of the Bureau in Sanskrit appears below the circle.

Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD] Objective

The objective of the Bureau of Police Research and Development is to identify the problems of police forces operating in the country, conduct studies and research, and suggest effective solutions to overcome the issues or meet the needs of the forces. The BPRD was also responsible for keeping track of the latest developments in scientific technologies and incorporating suitable technologies in the up-gradation of police forces.

The BPRD Divisions – Functions and Responsibilities

The major functions and responsibilities of the four BPRD divisions are outlined below:

Research Division

• Analyzing crimes and general issues impacting the police force, including crime trends, preventive measures, juvenile delinquency, etc.
• Assisting and coordinating research projects related to the police force.
• Participating in crime prevention and social defence programs.

Correctional Administration Division

• Studying and analyzing prison data and general issues impacting prison administration.
• Assimilating and disseminating Correctional Administration information to various states.
• Coordinating research studies carried out by RICAs and other institutes.
• Reviewing training programs and introducing new scientific techniques.
• Preparing uniform training module for prison staff.

Training Division

• Reviewing and arranging for police training.
• Supervising the functioning of the three central detective training schools located at Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh.
• Preparing and coordinating resources and educative literature for use in police training institutions.
• Standardizing equipment for training and arranging for their production and supply.
• Suggesting the formation of new training institutions as needed from time to time.

Development Division

• Reviewing the functioning of equipment used by the police forces and developing new equipment.
• Connecting with the National Laboratories and other organizations for indigenous production of police equipment.
• Applying computer technology in different segments of police work.

National Police Mission (NPM)

The responsibilities of NPM will include:

• Empowering the police force across every level.
• Preparing police forces to meet the challenges of the coming era.
• Enhancing the sensitivity of police personnel towards the weaker and vulnerable sections of society.
• Establishing specialized training centres for police.

Modernizing the police force in the country is an effective way of enhancing internal security and ensuring peace and harmony in society. The BPRD helps the Central Government to fulfil this objective through analysis, research, and application of scientific technology to the policing techniques used in the country.

FAQs on Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]

Q.1. Who is the present Director-General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]?

The present Director-General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD] is Mr V.S.K.Kaumudi, IPS of 1986 batch from Andhra Pradesh.

Q.2. Which is the governing body of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]?

The Government of India is the governing body of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD].

Q.3. Who is the founding Director-General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]?

Dr Anandswarup Gupta, IPS, is the founding Director-General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD].

Q.4. What is the operations jurisdiction of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD]?

The operations jurisdiction of the Bureau of Police Research and Development [BPRD] covers the whole of India.