60 ... ... ... ... .. C I V I L L I B E RT I E S numerous complaints of police complicity in wrong-doing. No country can afford to let its criminal justice system slide downward in public trust and esteem. Institutions that function with integrity are the hallmark of a democratic society no less than are free and fair elections. It therefore becomes critically important that the basic reforms that are required for the greater good of the country must be implemented without prevarication or procrastination, setting aside considerations of political or other expediency. 4.57 The Commission therefore urges, once again, that the police reforms in respect of which it has made specific recommendations - and that are outlined in detail in its earlier annual reports and in its submissions before the Supreme Court in the case Prakash Singh vs Union of India - be acted upon without further delay. The Commission earnestly requests that this matter be taken up at the highest political level in the country, in a non-partisan spirit, so that the over-arching need to act in furtherance of the Constitution and the Rule of Law is the sole guide in the consideration and implementation of the needed reforms. E] Working of Human Rights Cells in State Police Headquarters 4.58 Human Rights Cells were established in the police headquarters of the respective States upon the recommendation of this Commission. The guidelines for the functioning of these Cells were also devised by the Commission in close consultation with the State Governments. 4.59 In many respects, these Cells have served to provide a vital link between the Commission and the State Governments. They have facilitated the investigating of complaints, the submission of reports to the Commission and, in general, the efficiency of the human rights mechanisms in the States and their capacity to respond to enquiries from this Commission. 4.60 Yet, the Commission is constrained to observe, the performance of the Cells has, for a variety of reasons, been uneven. On occasion, they have lacked in the quality of their infrastructure and personnel. At times, and more seriously, they have not been tenacious enough in pursuing matters, with the human rights perspective being their sole guiding light. N AT I O N A L H U M A N R I G H T S C O M M I S S I O N