- published: 26 Feb 2015
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The Mumbai Police (Marathi मुंबई पोलिस) (also known as Brihanmumbai Police) is the police force of the city of Mumbai, India. It has the primary responsibilities of law enforcement and investigation within the limits of Mumbai. The department's motto is "Sadrakṣaṇāya Khalanigrahaṇāya" (Sanskrit: सद्रक्षणाय खलनिग्रहणाय, "To protect the good and to punish the evil"). Although considered one of the best police forces in the world for solving high profile, high stakes crimes, Mumbai police is also thought to be influenced by local politicians.
It is headed by the Commissioner of Mumbai Police, who is generally an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The current commissioner is Arup Patnaik.
During the 16th century up to 1655, the area of present day Mumbai was under Portuguese control. The Portuguese established a basic law enforcement structure in this area, with the establishment of a Police out-post in 1661.
In 1669 East India Company was given Bombay Island from king Charles II. who had acquired it when marrying a Portuguese princess a few years before. The origins of the present day Mumbai police can be traced back to a militia organised by Gerald Aungier, the then Governor of Mumbai in 1669. This Bhandari Militia was composed of around 500 men and was head quartered at Mahim, Sewree and Sion. In 1672, the judicial overview of police decisions by courts was introduced, although none of the judges had any actual lefal training. The situation remained unchanged through the Maratha wars. However, by 1682, policing remained stagnant - there was only one ensign for the whole Bhandari militia, and there were only three sergeants and two corporals.
Mumbai /mʊmˈbaɪ/, also known as Bombay /bɒmˈbeɪ/, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million. Along with the neighbouring urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city. Mumbai is also the richest city in India, and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.
The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Mumbai was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project, which undertook the reclamation of the area between the seven constituent islands from the sea. Completed by 1845, the project along with construction of major roads and railways transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1996.