A recent NLSIU project study, examining 202 police stations across eight districts in Karnataka, has detailed the representation of women within the state’s police force. The study indicates that as of 2023, women comprise 8.91% of the total force, an increase from 5.44% in 2007.
Key findings highlight a low presence of women officers in crucial investigating ranks, such as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Sub-Inspector (SI), and Police Inspector (PI), with nearly two-thirds of police stations reportedly lacking any woman in these roles. For instance, only three police stations among those examined had a woman PI, two of which were women’s police stations. Women personnel are largely concentrated in the civil branch, making up 12.69% of that specific branch.
The study also notes the complete absence of women in the District Armed Reserve (DAR). In the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), which handles riot control and disaster response, the total number of women stood at 144 across 12 battalions in 2023, following an initial induction of 120 women constables in 2016. These figures are presented in contrast to other states, with Tamil Nadu reporting 6,966 women in its armed branch and Kerala having nearly 20% of its women police serving in the armed wing, demonstrating varying levels of female integration into specialized police units across India.
Source: www.thehindu.com