The Telangana Police Academy on Monday launched the 37th batch of its NDPS Case Investigation Course, a specialised training programme aimed at strengthening the ability of police personnel to investigate narcotics cases and improve conviction rates under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The four-day course, organised under the directions of Academy director Abhilasha Bisht, is designed to enhance officers’ legal knowledge, investigative skills and understanding of procedures related to drug offences. Over 5,000 police personnel have undergone training since this course was introduced.

A total of 60 officers, including 14 constables, 15 head constables, nine assistant sub-inspectors, 19 sub-inspectors and three inspectors, are participating in the latest batch.

The first day’s sessions focused on key provisions of the NDPS Act, standard operating procedures for narcotics investigations, 25 critical steps to be followed during investigations, legal compliance requirements, documentation and scientific methods of investigation.

The training sessions were conducted by EAGLE Force ACP Narsing Rao, who briefed participants on the latest standard operating procedures formulated for NDPS investigations. He also highlighted common errors committed during investigations, legal safeguards that investigators must observe and the requirements for securing convictions in court.

Academy officials said the programme combines classroom instruction with practical learning. The curriculum covers investigation procedures, scenario-based exercises, use of digital tools in narcotics investigations and recent judicial pronouncements related to NDPS cases.

Faculty members from the Police, Law, Prosecution and Forensic wings of the academy participated in the programme. Officials said the training is intended to equip investigators with the knowledge and skills required to handle increasingly complex narcotics cases and ensure strict adherence to legal procedures during probe.