"Modiji wants to make India a $5 trillion economy and put it among the world's top three. But economic progress is not possible without securing the country. There is a need to maintain external security and law and order in states," Shah said during the 49th Foundation Day celebrations of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
He said over 34,000 personnel had sacrificed their lives to maintain law and order within the country and urged policemen to carry forward the good work done by their colleagues.
Shah emphasized on beginning a "consultative" procedure in the country to bring about specific changes in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"There has been no change in CrPC and IPC for long. We need to go forward for this. A consultative procedure should be started across the country for this purpose."
The Minister said that a report on suggestion made in this regard should be sent to the Home Ministry.
Noting that conviction rate in the country was very low, Shah advised the BPR&D to expedite its work to establish forensic science university and colleges so that new technology can help in solving crime cases.
If the help of forensic science was taken during investigation in a timely manner, it would better the conviction rate, he said.
"Forensic science university and colleges will really help in solving the cases expeditiously and also curb the crime graph and the mindset of criminals."
Highlighting the modernization of police force, Shah said: "Police should be four steps ahead of criminals and it can be possible when the force is modernized in a proper manner."
"Modernization should be seen with a holistic view and there should be a proper coordination among departments."
The Minister sought a 10-year plan for police modernization for its successful implementation and focussed on establishing "Modus Operandi Bureau" in every state.
Saying that "only phone tapping" would not help police, Shah said the force should revive old methods of investigations like beat system and informers.
Talking about police's "third degree" method used during investigation of any case, Shah said those days were past and called for new technology to solve cases.
The Minister also spoke about police reforms and said that there should be a single policing concept from the constable to the rank of Director General of Police.
"Police reform is big concept and BPR&D will have design it from the beginning."
Shah said that police and law and order were a state subject but some time the graph of the force went down due to lack of proper motivation in many states.
( With inputs from IANS )