The Police Training School, Prothrapur, recently hosted a three-day master trainer course aimed at equipping officers with a thorough understanding of India’s new criminal laws. The programme, held from September 8 to 10, was jointly organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ernst & Young LLP, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police. Twenty-seven police officers from various districts took part in this training of trainers, making it a significant capacity-building exercise for the force.
The programme focused on three legislations introduced in 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These new laws replaced the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act. Coming into effect from July 2024, they mark a fundamental shift in India’s criminal justice system. Officers were guided through the substantive and procedural changes brought in by the laws and how they would influence day-to-day policing.
The training methodology included lectures, case-based discussions, and practical exercises, encouraging participants to analyze real-world scenarios and practice decision-making under the new framework. The emphasis on interactive learning was designed to ensure officers not only absorbed the content but also developed the ability to apply it effectively in their districts.
At the valedictory session, officials including Uma Shankar, Principal of the Police Training School, and Iti Ravra, Senior Consultant with Ernst & Young LLP representing BPR&D, underlined the importance of cascading the acquired knowledge across the wider police force. They stressed that officers trained at this level would become resource persons for their colleagues, creating a multiplier effect and ensuring that enforcement of the new laws is both seamless and consistent across the islands.
The training was positioned as more than a procedural update. It was seen as a step toward strengthening legal preparedness, enhancing investigative skills, and ensuring justice delivery in line with the reformed framework. By preparing officers to adapt to the new system, the initiative seeks to improve efficiency and public trust in the rule of law.
The exercise also reflects the challenges of rolling out new legislation in a geographically isolated territory such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Capacity building is essential to overcome the logistical barriers of conducting large-scale training, and the master trainer model is considered the most efficient way to address this gap. Officers who completed the course will now be expected to organize further training sessions at district and station levels, extending the reach of the initiative.
By investing in officer training at the implementation stage, the administration aims to prevent confusion or uneven application of the laws once they are enforced in practice. This structured approach is intended to create uniformity, reduce errors, and build confidence among law enforcement officers, the judiciary, and the public alike.
The completion of the master trainer course at Prothrapur therefore represents a critical milestone in preparing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police for India’s new era of criminal justice. It signals the beginning of a transition where trained officers will act as conduits of knowledge, strengthening the overall capacity of the force to uphold justice in accordance with the new laws.
