Earlier states like Bihar, Gujrat, Odisha, and Maharashtra have also provided for women quotas in the police force. 

• In 2022, women made up about 12% of the state police. Chandigarh had the highest at 22%, while Jammu and Kashmir had the lowest at 3.3% (India Justice Report, 2022).

Need for more women in Police Force 

• Legal Mandate: POCSO Act and major criminal laws now require every case of sexual assault to be recorded and investigated by a female police officer. 
  • The arrest of a woman and searching a woman must be done by a woman only.
• Better reporting of Crime Against Women: Presence of women can foster trust among female victims, encouraging them to report crimes.
• Improved police-community relations: This is because women's use of excessive force is less common.

Challenges in increasing women representation in Police

• Stereotype: Women are seen to be unfit for long and unpredictable hours of the police system. 
• Policy gap: Absence of reservation policy in many states (Police is a state subject under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution)
• Implementation gap: E.g., Bihar provides 35% reservation for women, but actual number in police force is about 17.4%.