Bhubaneswar, June 10: Amid growing concerns over custodial deaths, mob violence, allegations of third-degree torture in police stations, and a perceived rise in lawlessness, the Odisha Police has initiated a major review of policing and law-and-order management across the state.
In a significant move, 15 senior IPS officers have been assigned to closely monitor law-and-order conditions in 17 crime-prone districts. The officers will conduct independent inspections and assess the effectiveness of policing, crime control measures, and overall law-enforcement performance in their respective districts.
The initiative will be implemented from July 1, 2026, with the officers directed to undertake extensive field inspections and submit detailed reports on their findings.
According to directives issued by the State Police Headquarters under the Annual Block Inspection Programme-2026, officers ranging from the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) to Inspector General (IG) have been selected for the exercise.
The officers have been instructed to complete their inspections and submit comprehensive review reports within 15 days of their district visits.
The move comes at a time when the state police has faced criticism over several incidents, including custodial deaths, allegations of police misconduct, and incidents of mob violence. The review is expected to identify shortcomings in policing and recommend measures to strengthen accountability, improve police functioning, and enhance public confidence in law enforcement.
During their visits, the senior officers will review:
· Law-and-order conditions in the districts
· Crime prevention and investigation measures
· Functioning of police stations
· Operations of district police offices
· Reserve police establishments
· Overall police administration and management
