There are two types of police forces: people's police, which evolved to service community interests, and ruler-appointed police, which serve the ruler's interests. Indian police derive their system from the British and were a part of the British attempt to subjugate Indian nationalism so that Indian police increasingly came into conflict with the people and become further estranged from them. Indian police, concentrated in urban areas where the elite live, neglect the rural population. Working conditions for police are almost inhuman. Police officers receive no weekly holidays or religious breaks, have inconvenient working hours, and receive no overtime allowance. There is no consensus in India regarding the police role and accountability; police goals and priorities should be defined in order to give these men a consistent basis for self-image and legitimate methods of functioning. Moreover, an urgent need exists to humanize the police, as their alleged involvement in several recent incidents of brutality has tarnished their image. Police officers should have educational backgrounds that broaden their own social perspective; training programs for all ranks should cover the meaning of democracy and India's social structure. Police should be better paid and require improved working conditions. Data on Indian police strength during 1977 are provided along with 11 references.