Offences or crimes against the law are categorized into Cognizable and Non-Cognizable offences.

1. What are Cognizable Offences?
A Cognizable Offence includes murders, rape, kidnapping, abductions, robberies ,Drug related crimes etc. In every case of a Cognizable offence, the police are required to register it in the First Information Register (F. I. R.) and investigate the offence. In its investigation, the Police officer may in accordance with the first schedule or under any other law for time being in forced arrest without warrant and also start investigation without any orders or directions from the Magistrate.

2. What are Non – cognizable Offences?
An offence for which a police officer has no authority to arrest without warrant. In such a case the police officer neither has duty nor power to investigate in to such offences without an authority given by the Magistrate.

3. What are bailable offences?
An offence which is shown as bailable in the first schedule, or which is made bailable by any other law for the time being in force. The accused is normally entitled to bail as a matter of right. Bail is provided by appointing a surety and/or the bail amount is made available to the authorities concerned.

4. What are non –bailable offences?
it is only the court which is empowered to grant bail to the accused. Any arrested person shall be produced by the Police before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest. The accused person is entitled to avail legal advice during the process. If arrested, one is entitled to get information about the reasons of the arrest and the search of one's premises. This information is obtainable from the Investigating Officer.

5. What is a complaint?
Any allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under the Criminal Procedure Code that some person, whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but does not include a police report.

6. What is an investigation?
All the proceedings under this code for the collection of evidence is conducted by a police officer or by any person (other than a Magistrate) who is authorized by a Magistrate in this behalf.

7. What are Drug Offences?
Drug related offences are are a special category of Cognizable and Non-Bailable offences and and are prosecuted vigorously under a special act known as "The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985". The punishment under this Act. ranges from 6 months to maximum of 30 yrs. depending upon the nature of the offences. There is also a provision for death penalty for certain offences after previous convictions, under this Act. There is also a provision for preventive detention and also a provision for forfeiture of property. The cases under this Act. are registered and investigated by officers of the rank of a Police-Sub Inspector and above. There is also a special Narcotics Cell to aid its investigation.

Special Provisions
For those unable to afford Legal Aid, there is a provision for Free Legal Aid.

To prevent gender discrimination, only a female Police Woman can arrest a woman suspect. There is a new Women's Police Station that is based in Old Goa that deals with crimes against women and the victims of such crimes in the whole state.