19 J&K Police Newsletter

January-February, 2014

Human Resource Management in PoliceHuman Resource Management as a discipline is

responsible for identifying, selecting, inducing thecompetent people, training them, facil itating andmonitoring them to perform with high level of efficiencyand thereby providing them a mechanism to ensure thatthey maintain a strong affiliation with their organization.All organizations, be they private or governmentorganizations are basically Social systems run by peoplehaving expertise in relevant fields. Thus, human resourcesconstitute the entire work force of an organization. Thefunctioning of an organization depends on how itsemployees work.

Human Resource Management is of utmostimportance for Police as Police job can be dangerous,frustrating, even tedious, but law enforcement is atremendously rewarding career. Police officers significantlyimprove the quality of life for the citizens of theircommunities by keeping the peace despite sometimesoverwhelming odds. The police personnel, who arequalified, well trained, best motivated and led by competentsuperiors, always contribute towards the improvement inwork culture.

The areas covered by Human resource managementin police department include recruitment and selection,training, transfers and promotions, leadership,communication, authority and responsibility, motivationand incentives, Superior- Subordinate relationships,compensation management, performance appraisal etc.

Human Resource Management is very important inpolice organization because police works as a visiblesymbol of the government. Human management in Policeis complex and demanding because it involves themanagement of the policemen both on and off duty fromthe day they enter the organization. The essence of adynamic personnel management is getting effective andoptimum results not only on short term basis but also inthe long run through building and maintaining a satisfied,motivated and productive human organization.

The police department has an urgent need to practicegood human resource management policies. This willfacilitate getting right person for the right job, enhancedmotivation and morale boosting of lower rank employees.Once creative human resource management is availablewithin the Police organization, it will be tremendouslyhelpful in generating amicable relationships betweensuperiors and subordinates, effective training to meet thechallenges, delegation of authority and empowerment.Thus, Human resource management will play an importantrole in bringing about change in work culture successfully-The change characterized by a positive work environment,flexible and adaptable work practices with skilled,dedicated and committed work force. A successful change

in work culture is dependentupon the commitment andfocus of top managementand its wil l ingness tocommit and create resourcesfor achieving the change. Themanagers shall pay apatient ear to theirsubordinates and therebydevelop and design strategichuman resource plans andpractices for recruitment,training and overall efficiency of the organization.

Success of personal policies is determined by threefactors which are success of governments and topmanagement in formulating and determining policieswisely, success of personnel managers in interpreting thesepersonal policies properly, success of line executives andtheir dynamic leadership. In context of present dayrequirements, there is an urgent need for an independentHuman resource management department in police.

While practicing organizational behavior, it isimportant to provide personal feedback. Employees alsoneed feedback about their performance. Feedback helpsthem know what to do and how well they are meeting theirown goals. A major concern of the organizations includingpolice organization centers on the performance of theemployees. Performance refers to what an employee doesor does not do on the job. Several terms such asperformance assessment, performance appraisal andevaluation and performance management are usedcommonly and interchangeably to describe the process ofemployee performance evaluation. Performance appraisalis the process by which data about employees’ past andcurrent job performance is collected and reviewed.

A research needs to be carried out in order to analyzeand conclude the satisfaction level of police officers andconstables related to human resource practices. As for ascurrent scenario is concerned it is evident thatunfortunately the effective human resource policies arerarely practiced in police department. Reforms in humanresource practices are urgently required to create healthywork culture in police. Police is a service provider andtheir performance directly affects the security of citizens.The areas like recruitment and training are many timessubject to criticism. Highly motivated and professionallytrained police officers and constables will definitelyimprove public image of police at every level.

SI Perminder Singh

(The author is post graduate in Management with specializationin Human Resourse Management. He can be mailed at:balipavan1713@gmail.com)

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