Course at UPSIFS to Boost Policing Skills

• 29 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Krishna, inaugurated the 'Vertical Interaction Course' at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), marking a significant step towards integrating legal, technological, and forensic expertise into the policing system. 

Key Points 

• Objective: The course, supported by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), aims to equip police officers with essential interdisciplinary skills to tackle emerging forms of crime, particularly in the cyber realm. 
  • The DGP emphasized the importance of law, technology, and forensics in handling modern crimes, noting that this course integrates all three. 
• Advanced Digital Diagnostic Lab Inauguration: He also inaugurated the newly developed Advanced Digital Diagnostic Lab at UPSIFS, designed to provide hands-on forensic training. 
  • He stressed that the battlefield has moved to the digital realm, and for the police to keep up with rapidly adapting cybercriminals, training at all levels is crucial to mastering and applying these technologies. 
• Collaboration with BPRD: The institute’s founding director, GK Goswami, shared that two specialized courses have been launched in collaboration with BPRD. The first batch of IPS officers began their training on the same day. 
  • He highlighted the importance of integrating legal and scientific knowledge for comprehensive criminal investigations, stating, "Our focus is 'Law with Lab'." 
• Significance: This initiative marks a significant advancement in the integration of law, technology, and forensics in modern policing, with the potential to better equip law enforcement agencies to handle complex crimes in the digital age. 

Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) 

• Establishment and Objectives: The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) was officially established by the Government of India on 28th August 1970 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.  
  • The primary purpose of the Bureau was to modernize the police force in India. The key objectives of BPR&D included: 
    • Taking direct and active interest in police-related issues 
    • Promoting rapid and systematic research into police problems 
    • Applying science and technology to improve police methods and techniques 
• Expansion of Scope: Over the years, BPR&D’s scope expanded significantly. Key developments included: 
  • 1983: The Directorate of Forensic Sciences was established under BPR&D, reflecting the growing importance of forensic science in police investigations. 
  • 1995: The Government of India tasked BPR&D with addressing correctional administration, including prison reforms, to manage the evolving challenges in prison management. 
• Further Expansion: In 2008, the creation of the National Police Mission under the supervision of BPR&D aimed to modernize the police forces further, enhancing their ability to maintain internal security. 
  • In 2021, BPR&D's responsibilities expanded once again to encompass: 
    • Land and sea border management 
    • Capacity building for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) 
    • Addressing emerging criminal laws and evolving security challenges.