Arthunkal Police Station in Alappuzha district, Kerala, has become India’s first police station to receive the ISO 9001:2015 certification. The certification was awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for meeting quality management standards.
Certification Details
- Standard: ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System (QMS)
- Awarding Body: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Certification Process:
- Two-stage audit conducted.
- Evaluation included quality and risk management standards.
- Focus on law & order, crime investigation, disposal of complaints, infrastructure, and officer conduct.
Key Functions Assessed
- Law and order maintenance
- Crime prevention and investigation
- Traffic management
- Public grievance redressal
- Emergency response coordination
- Judicial cooperation
- Transparent and citizen-centric policing
These activities were assessed against Indian legal frameworks and government policies with a focus on efficiency, accountability, and public satisfaction.
Initiative Behind Reform
- Part of Modernised Cherthala Police Programme, launched in Alappuzha to promote:
- Transparent, tech-driven, and responsive policing
- Modernisation of police stations and service delivery standards
- Public trust through performance-driven benchmarks
About ISO 9001:2015
| Parameter | Details |
| Standard Name | ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System |
| Released By | International Organization for Standardization (ISO) |
| First Introduced | 1987 |
| Latest Revision | 2015 (currently in use) |
| Recognition Type | Third-party certification by an accredited body |
Key Principles of ISO 9001:2015:
- Customer Focus: Meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
- Process-Based Approach: Structuring activities as interrelated processes.
- Leadership Commitment: Top-level accountability for QMS implementation.
- Risk-Based Thinking: Identifying and managing risks/opportunities.
- Continual Improvement: Consistent enhancement of performance.
- Evidence-Based Decision Making: Use of data in managerial decisions.
Significance
- Sets a national benchmark for quality policing practices.
- Marks a shift from traditional to professional policing standards in India.
- Encourages other police stations to adopt globally recognized quality systems.
- Enhances citizen trust, transparency, and accountability in law enforcement.
Key Facts
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): India’s national standards body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization):
- Established: 1947
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Members: Over 160 national standards bodies