Police Act, 1861

The Police Act, 1861, also Act V of 1861 was a legislative act passed in British India, to regulate the Police. It outlined the structure, functions, powers, and duties of the police. It vested the administration of the police in the Inspector-General of Police.

It defined the powers and responsibilities of police officers in maintaining public order, preventing and detecting crimes, and enforcing laws. Inspector-General was to be responsible to the provincial government and the superintendent was to the civilian collector.

The Act has been widely condemned for its colonial perspective of policing, which has led to the police forces across majority of the states prioritizing obedience, discipline, and control rather than community welfare. This has often led to violations of citizens' rights, lack of police accountability, or developing procedures for public grievances, besides allowing political meddling. Despite orders by the Supreme Court of India to replace the colonial era police act with a modern law, many states have shown partial or non-compliance for political reasons, and refused to repeal the law as the 1861 Act enforces political control over the police forces, as policing is a state responsibility by the Constitution of India.