Police

Police

(1) Overview (2) Director General of Police (3) Additional Director General of Police (4) Inspector General of Police (5) Deputy Inspector General of Police (6) Superintendent of Police (7) Assistant Superintendent of Police (8) Indian Police Service (9) Deputy Superintendent of Police (10) Circle Inspector (11) Police Station (12) City Police Administration

(1) Overview

1.1    Public order and Police are kept under state subject under the constitution of India. Hence, State Governments are primarily responsible for maintenance of public order as well as prevention and detection of crimes within the state. For this purpose, States have their own Police organization.

1.2    The structure & functioning of Police are governed by The Indian Police Act 1861, In later part, some states have also enacted their own State Police Acts, mostly on the lines of the Primer Act. Further, The Indian Penal Code 1862, The Indian Evidence Act 1872 & Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 also govern the functioning of Police.

1.3    According to United Nations standards, there should be about 230 police for every 100,000 people. But in India there are only 125 police officers for every 100,000 populations. At present, there are approximately 12,809 Police stations are in the country.

1.4    In Police setup, the constable is at the lowest rank of the ladder. From here the ranks move up to – (ii) Head Constable (HC), (iii) Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), (iv) Sub-Inspector (SI), (v) Inspector (IP), (vi) Assistant/Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP/DySP), (vii) Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl SP), (viii) Superintendent of Police (SP), (ix) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), (x) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), (xi) Inspector General of Police (IGP), (xii) Additional Director and (xiii) Director General of Police (DGP).

1.5    The entire organisational set-up of the state police is shown by the following chart:

1.6    The organization of Police force is discussed in successive paras henceforth.

(2) Director General of Police (DGP)

2.1    The Director General of Police (DGP) is the executive and administrative head of the State Police Department. DGP advises State government on all police matters, both administrative and operational. He is responsible to State Government.

2.2    An IPS (Indian Police Service) officer practically requires minimum 33 years of service, having minimum 6 months of service left to become DGP.

2.3    Generally, an IPS officer serves as DGP for maximum tenure of 2 years as it is the highest rank in Police service. Promotion is subject to vacancy and other terms and conditions in force.

2.4    Basic Salary: Rs. 2,25,000 p.m. fixed.

2.5    Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) is the just below the hierarchy of Police setup in the state. Details about ADGP is discussed in successive para.

2.6    The equivalent post of DGP in Delhi Police is Commissioner of Police.

(3) Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)

3.1    ADGP is just below in the rank of DGP and above the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). He generally assists DGP to discharge his duties both, administrative & operational.

3.2     An IPS officer practically requires 25 years of service to be eligible for promotion to the post of ADGP. Promotion is subject to vacancy and other terms and conditions in force.

3.3    Basic Salary: Rs. 2,05,400.

3.4    Inspector General of Police is just below in the hierarchy of Police setup in the state.

3.5    The equivalent post of ADGP in Delhi Police is Special Commissioner of Police.

(4) Inspector General of Police (IGP)

4.1    IGP is just below in the rank of ADGP. IGP is the head of a ‘Police Zone’ as State police is divided into ‘Police Zones’ and further into ‘Police Ranges’ and District administrations. A Police Zone comprises of minimum two or more Police Ranges.

4.2    An IPS office practically/generally requires 19 years of service or even more to be promoted to the post of IGP. Promotion is subject to vacancy and other terms and conditions in force.

4.3    Basic Salary: Rs. 1,44,200 p.m.

4.4    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) is just below in the rank in a state police setup.

4.5    The equivalent rank of IG in Delhi Police is Joint Commissioner of Police.

(5) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP)

5.1    DIG is just below in the rank from IG. DIG is the head of Police Range. A Police Range consists of a group of districts. Hence, DIG is the head of District Police administration and operation.

5.2    An IPS officer is generally requires 15 years of regular service to be eligible for promoted to the post of DIG. Promotion is subject to vacancy and other terms and conditions in force.

5.3    Basic Salary: Rs. 1,31,100 p.m.

5.4    Senior Superintendent of Police is just below in the rank in State Police setup.

5.5    The equivalent post DIG in Delhi Police is Additional Commissioner of Police.

(6) Sr. Superintendent/Superintendent of Police

6.1    Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) is just below from the rank of DIG. SSP/SP is the head of police administration in a district within a state. SSP/SP is also known as ‘Police Captain’ within the district. He is executive and operational in charge of police in a district.

6.2    An IPS officer generally requires minimum 5 years of service and even more to be eligible for promotion to the post of SP and then SSP. After completing training at Sardar Vallabhhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, an IPS officer is given the posting as Assistnt SP of a sub division followed by Additional SP by promotion after completion of probation. 

6.3    Basic Salary: Rs. 78,800 p.m.

6.4    The equivalent post of SSP in Delhi Police is Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Selection Grade.

6.5    District Police force is place under the charge of SSP. According to Indian Police Act 1861, the administration of Police in a District is vested in the SSP, but subject to the general control and direction of the District Magistrate (DM)/i.e. District Collector. Hence, there is a system of duel control of Law and Order in the district, that is, controlled by the DM and controlled by the departmental line headed by DGP.

6.6    Senior superintendent of police in metropolitan, highly populated or naxal-effected districts or Superintendent of police in smaller districts heads the police force of a district. In districts where a senior superintendent is the head, the superintendent is the head of a large urban or rural area within a district.

6.7    SP is below in rank from SSP. The rank insignia of SSP is the state emblem above two stars while the rank insignia of SP is the State emblem above no star or one star depending on pay level. SSP is senior to SP.

6.8    SSP is also the secondary head in various headquarters. The rank is equivalent to colonel in the Indian Army and to commandant in the Central Armed Police Forces.

6.9    The rank of SP is equivalent to the rank of second in command (2IC) and Deputy commandant in the Central Armed Police Forces and the rank of major/lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army.

6.10     Assistant Superintendent of Police in IPS and Deputy Superintendent of Police in State services are junior/below in rank of SSP/SP.

(7) Additional Superintendent of Police/Assistant Superintendent of Police

7.1    An Assistant Superintendent of Police is the directly recruited IPS officer and he enjoys the rank while under physical and practical training. In that rank he works as Sub–Divisional Police Officer/Incharge of Police Sub-Division. Assistant Superintendent of Police/Additional Superintendent of Police is below in rank from SSP/SP.

7.2    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) is still in use in India where the officer holding this rank is from Indian Police Service. However, assistant superintendent of police is a probationary rank (till the second year of the career of an IPS officer) and is worn by officers when under training at SVP National Police Academy. All IPS officers start their career as Assistant Superintendent of Police. State Cadre Officer cannot hold this rank. They hold Deputy Superintendent of Police rank which is equivalent to this rank.

7.3    Basic Salary: (a) Additional SP – Rs. 67,700 p.m. (b) Assistant SP – Rs. 56,100 p.m.

(8) Indian Police Service (IPS)

8.1    Indian Police Service is one of the three All India Services – (i) Indian Administrative Service, managed and controlled by Ministry of Personnel (ii) Indian Police Service, managed and controlled by Ministry of Home Affair & (iii) Indian Forest Service, managed and controlled by Ministry of Environment & Forests.

8.2    Article 312 of the Constitution of India authorizes the Parliament to create new All India Services on the basis of a resolution passed by Rajya Sabha. Hence, a new All India Services can be created by an act of the Parliament.

8.3    All India Services are those services which are common to both Central & State Governments. Centre and State governments have their own separate services called Central Services and State Services respectively. Hence, All India Services are in addition to the Central and State services.

8.4    The All-India Services have three categories and they are – (i) Super Time Scale (ii) Senior Scale & (iii) Junior Scale.

8.5    The All-India Services Act, 1951 authorized the Central Government to make rules in consultation with the State Governments for the regulation of recruitment and service conditions of the members of All-India Services. The member of these services are recruited and trained by the Central Government but are assigned to different states for work. They are borne on different state cadres; the Centre having no cadre of it’s own in this regard. They serve the Central Government on deputation and after completing their fixed tenure they go back to their respective states.

8.6    Each of these All-India Services form a single service with common rights and status and uniform scales of pay throughout the country.

8.7    The eligibility of officers for holding posts at the level of Superintendent of Police and above in the Central Government and the minimum length service in the IPS for eligible for Central Deputation as per Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs OM No. No. I.21023/21/97-IPS.III dtd: April 2000 (click to download – https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/IPS-DepuPolicy.pdf)are tabulated below:

8.8    The ultimate control lies with the Central Government while the immediate control vests with the State Government. Their salaries and pensions are paid by States but the disciplinary action is administrated by Central Government.

8.9    At present, there are 24 State cadres in All-India Services and these includes three joint cadres – (i) Assam & Meghalaya (ii) Manipur & Tripura (iii) Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and the Union Territories.

8.10    The total ZBB/Sanctioned strength of IPS is 4730 (Revised in 2013).

8.11    Training of IPS: The various components of the induction training programme for IPS are

(9) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

9.1    DSP is below in rank from SSP, SP, Additional SP/Assistant SP. DSP is selected by State Police Services. DSP rank is equivalent to Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) once it’s probation period ends. DSP is the head of Police Sub-Division.

9.2    Additional SP/Assistant SP is/are a directly recruited IPS officer.  DSP  is either recruited directly from the State Police Service or by promotion. Both ASP and can be posted on equivalent posts but ASP is senior to DSP.

9.3    Basic Salary: Rs. 56,100 p.m.

9.4    Duties of DSP: DSP is responsible of Law and Order in his jurisdiction. He investigate, supervise and issue directives for investigations and have power to either true the case with reference to investigation report or declare false at his discretion. DSP takes round Police stations of his area and control over etc.

(10) Circle Inspector

10.1    Circle Inspector is the incharge of Police Circles usually coincides with a Police sub-division. Some states have also created Police Circles. Each Police circle comprises of three to six Police Stations.

10.2    Circle Inspector (CI) is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and for the supervision, control, and general efficiency of all police work therein. Under Section 551, Cr. P. C, a Circle Inspector exercises throughout his circle the same power as the officer in charge of a police station within the limits of his station.

10.3    CI is responsible for the maintenance of peace in his circle and for the proper performance of duties by his subordinates.

10.2    Basic Salary: Rs. 44,900 p.m.

(11) Police Station

11.1    ‘Police Station’ also called ‘Station House’ is the lowest tier in the State police organization and also the basic and primary unit of police administration in the state. Inspector or Sub-Inspector is the incharge of the Police station. The incharge of police station is generally called Station House Officer (SHO) or Thana Incharge (TI).

11.2     District and the railway police sub-divisions are further divided into police station jurisdictions according to administrative convenience and in order to meet the requirements or the Code of Criminal Procedure [section 4 (1)(s)]. The boundaries of these jurisdictions have all been fixed from time to time on the authority of the Provincial Government, and are unalterable save under the same authority. Outposts are located where necessary for the control of crime and are subordinate to the police stations in the jurisdictions of which they are located. Normally, a police station is in charge of a sub-Inspector of police and an outpost in commanded by an assistant sub-Inspectors head constable.

11.3    In a Police Station, Police officials of – (a) Inspector, (b) Sub-Inspector, (c) Assistant Sub-Inspector, (d) Police Head Constable (e) Police Constables, designations work and discharge their respective duties.

11.4    The hierarchy of police officials in a police station is shown as:

11.5    As per Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), all crime is to be recorded in the Police Station of that area/jurisdiction. All crime prevention, investigation and Law & Order work is done here.

11.6    A Police Station is divided into a number of beats which are assigned to constables for patrolling, surveillance, collection of intelligence etc.

11.7    For operation, generally a Police station is divided into many sections which are – (a) Reception, (b) Duty Officer, (c) Investigation Room, (d) Record Room, (e) Police Malkhana, (f) Computer Room, (g) Wireless Room, (h)Police Lock-up (Hazat).

(a) Reception: It is generally available on the entrance of the Police station. This desk is headed by a constable. It is a place from where a complainant is directed to the respective Police Officer. No complain is registered here, only entries are done.

(b) Duty Officer: Duty officer is the police personnel who lodges an FIR and tells the respective officer about the report. He also maintains the Station Diary/Daily Diary. In case of cognizable offence, FIR is registered and in case of Non-Cognizable offence, NCR report is registered. He also maintained the PCR calls.

(c) Investigation Room: It is a specific room in a Police Station where a person whether accused or witness can be detained for some time by the investigating officer for inequiry/investigation.

(d) Record Room: All records are maintained here. The records of various offences and their details, PCR call records, Bail Records, FIR record and other records are maintained here. Registers are maintained by specific numbers.

(e) Police Malkhana: It is one of the most important section of a Police Station where various type of items are collected/stored. These items are – Weapons, shoes, cloths, or other things. These items are collected from the crime spot. These items are kept for further trial. These items are also sent for forensic tests as and when required.

(f) Computer Room: All data of Police Station is saved on Police websites and other digital records. From 2007, FIR is recorded in computerized form. All digital communications are made from this room.

(g) Wireless Room: Any call from Headquarter is directed from this room. Whenever any crime is instituted and the same is brought to the notice of the police station for information and further action through this room. Also other information is communicated with different police personnel on duty and with the headquarter.

(h) Police Lock-up (Hazat): It is a specific room where accused are kept locked in a Police Station. A separate lock-up rooms are available for male and female. No switch boards, fan, nails or any sharp edge items are installed/fixed in the room so that these can’t be used to commit suicide during detention. It is also called Hazat.

11.8    Maintenance of records: In a police station, 25 registers are maintained under Police Rule 1934 22.4 to 22.76. This is collectively expressed in this way – “First Road me Gao Nihrooni se LAC tak CRPF Police hai” to remember them easily. These Registers are discussed below:

01    Register No. I/FIR Register (Rule 22.47): This is the first register, Register No. I, which is maintained/deal under rule 22.47 and registration of FIR is deal under Rule 24.5 in the form No. 24.5(1). It has 500 pages (1 original and 4 copies). It is issued on year basis and the same is printed on it. It is contained on 100 FIRs. Original copy is kept in Police Station for record and rest copies are further transmitted – (i) to the complainant (ii) to the court (under rule 24.5) (iii) HQ (iv) Extra copy. If FIR pertains to very serious heinous crime like ‘murder’, a copy of the same is required to be forwarded to the magistrate concerned instantly. Magistrate concern will endorse his signature with date, time & seal. If it is delayed, then the same needs to be forwarded with cover note by mentioning the reason of delay.

02    Register No.II/Station Diary/Roznamcha/Daily Diary Register (22.48 to 22.52): This is the second register (Register No. II) maintained under rule 22.48 to 22.52. It is maintained in form 22.48(1). Under Rule 22.49, it is described what records need to be recorded in Station Diary/Roznamcha. Under Rule, 22.50, it is declared that any deliberated wrong entry enables police personnel from dismissal from service. 22.52 stats its retention period which is two years from the last entry. 22.52 states that any police employee transferred or joined may be recorded and copy of the same is required to be forwarded to Hq. This is a very sensitive register with presumption of truth.

Every police personnel above the rank of Head Constable is required to endorse his/her arrival/departure with date and time with signature. Duty brief is also recorded in this register. If any police official is moving for duty outside the police station, the same is required to be recorded with date, time, nature of work/duty & signature. After returning to the police station, the same is also recorded with date, time and signature. Police personals are on duty, leave all arrival departure etc. are recorded in this register. Every movement of Police station, Registration of FIR and other activities are recorded. Recovery of weapons, Narcotics items etc. are also recorded.

03    Register No. III/Order File register (Rule 22.53): Register N0. III, It is maintained under rule 22.53. This is also called Order File Register maintained in two parts – Permanent & Temporary. All standing orders of superior officers – DSP, ASP, SP, SSP, DIG, IG and so on is maintained herein.

04    Register No. IV/Absconder Register (Rule 22.54 ): Retister No. 4, this register is maintained under rule 22.54 in three parts – (i) Absconder of the Police Station, (ii) Absconder of other Police Stations (iii) Absconder/Deserters from Army. It is maintained in Form No. 26.16(6).

05    Register No. V/Dak Register (Rule: 22.55 ): It is a correspondence register, it is maintained under rule 22.55 in two parts – (i) Income coming & Out going (ii) Internal order. It has 400 pages. All summons, warrants, search warrant etc. served/unserved recorded in it.

06    Register No. VI/Mixed Register (Rule: 22:56): It is maintained under rule 52:56 in four parts (rtkm) – (i) List of character rolls of applicants for Government service verified by the police in Form 22-56.(1). (ii) Record of people on bail (iii) Carbon copies of all reports submitted for action under the Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code or local and special laws such as prosecutions under section 182, Indian Panel Code, preventive security under the Criminal Procedure Code or action against village officials under the Punjab Laws Act when no first information report or charge-sheet is submitted. (iv) Carbon copies of reports of investigation in to accidental deaths of human beings in which forms 25-035(1) A, B and C, are submitted. A yearly index will be maintained for this part. It is a role register. Verification (Character and antecedents) of PVR is executed by this register. All criminal tribes are records are also maintained in it. This register may be destroyed seven years after the date of the last entry.

07    Register No. VII/Cattle Pound Register (Rule: 22.57): (1) The cattle pound register is printed and supplied by the local bodies concerned and is divided into two parts:— Part I. — The register of impounded cattle. Part II. — The cash account.

            (2)        A book of receipts is also supplied to the pound-keeper who shall give a receipt to ever seizure or to his agent who brings cattle to the pound.

08    Register No. VIII(A) & (B)/Adult/Minor Criminal Tribe Register (Rule: 22.58): Register VIII(A) – Adult Criminal register is maintained in Form 2258(A) for all adult members of criminal tribes.

Register VIII(B) – Register of male children of members of criminal tribes. It is maintained in Form 22.58 (B) for male children under 12 in the case of wandering tribes and under 18 years in the case of settled tribes notified as criminal.

09    Register No. IX /Village Crime Register (Rule 22.59): Villages come under the jurisdiction of the police station and any crime is instituted in the village is recorded in this register in terms of village name wise. This register is maintained in five parts. It is maintained under rule 22.59 & 22.60.

10    Register No. X/Surveillance Register (Rule 22.61): The surveillance register is maintained in accordance with the orders contained in rules 23.4, 23.5 and 23.16. This register is maintained in two parts. Retention period is 2 years from the date of it’s last entry.

11    Register No. XI/History sheets and personal file register (Rule 22.62): An Index regarding history sheets and personal files are maintained in forms 23.14(1)A and 23.14(1)B. This register is maintained in two parts.

12    Register No. XII/Information sheet Register (Rule 22.63): This is a register of information sheet which is maintained in two parts. This register is destroyed after 7 years of dispatch or receipt of the last sheet.

13    Register No. XIII/Minute Book for Gazetted Officesr (Rule 22.64): This is a blank book of foolscap size in which shall be entered the dates of all inspections and any matters requiring the attention of the officer in charge of the police station which have not been entered in the inspection report. Inspecting officers shall satisfy themselves that old volumes of this register, which form a valuable record of the past history of the police station, are intact.

14    Register No. XIV/File Book of Inspection Report (Rule 22.65): A file book is maintained for the record of gazetted officers’ inspection reports, covers of standard pattern, in which reports can be kept without risk of damage.

15    Register No. XV/Vital Statistics (Rule 22.66): This register is provided by District Boards and Municipal Committees and is compiled from the figures recorded in the registers of vital statistics which are supplied to village watchmen who bring their register for inspection to the police station at prescribed intervals. The registers supplied to village watchman are also provided by the local on application by the police.

16    Register No. XVI (Rule 22.67): This register is maintained in 200 pages which are divided into four parts – (i) List of village watchman and date fixed for his attendance in Police station, (ii) List of attached police officers with the date of their appointment and transfer, (iii) List of all government properties used in a police station, (iv) List of lands which are under the possession of the police station.

17    Register No. XVII/(Rule 22.68): This register shall be maintained in separate parts as follows:—

            Part 1.– List of Arms Act Licenses; sub-divided into five parts, in Forms 22.68(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4) and (a)(5) in the Kangra District, a sixth part in form 22.68(a)(6) shall also be maintained.

            Part II.– List of licenses under the Excise Laws in Form 22.68(b).

            Part III.– List of licenses under the Explosive Act in Form 22.68(c).

            Part IV.– List of licenses under the Petroleum Act in Form 22.68(d).

            Part V.– List of licenses under the Poisons Act, in Form 22.68(e).

            Part VI.– List of sarais registered under the Sarais Act, Laws in Form 22.68(f).

Parts I to V, except form 22.68(a)(4), may be destroyed one year after the expiration of the period for which the licenses were granted.

When the existing Part VI is filled up, all uncancelled entries shall be transcribed in a new register and the old one destroyed.

            (2) Powers and duties of police officers under the Acts mentioned in sub-rule (1) are given in Appendix 22.68(2).

18    Register No. XVIII/(Rule 22.69):
A receipt book in Form 22.69 shall be maintained in which shall be entered a descriptive list in triplicate of all arms ammunition or military stores deposited in, or seized and brought to, the police station when such seizure is not otherwise reported. The form shall be made out by the carbon copying process. One copy shall be affixed to the weapon or articles, and the duplicate shall be given to the depositor.

            This book shall be destroyed five years after the date of the last entry.

19    Register No. XIX/(Rule 22.70): This register is maintained in Form 22.70 with the exception of articles already included in Register No. XVI every article placed in the store-room shall be entered in this register and the removal of any such article be noted in the appropriate column.

20    Register No. XX/Account Register (Rule 22.71): This register pertains to accounting of expenditure of the police station other than cattle pound. This register is maintained under rule 22.70.

21    Register No. XXI/Bound Book Register (Rule 22.72): A bound book of road certificates in form 10.17 containing sufficient certificates in duplicate to last for three months, shall be issued to each police station as required.

Each certificate, both office copy and duplicate, shall be given an annual serial number for each police station and, when returned receipted, the copy issued or the receipt in lieu thereof shall be pasted on to the place from which the copy issued was taken.

Each book shall be destroyed when the last certificate therein is three years old.

22    Register No. XXII/(Rule 22.73): This is a 100 paged printed register for various purposes – all sums of money received in the police station, road certificate if received with money etc.

23    Register No. XXIII/(Rule 22.74): The Police Gazette and the Criminal Intelligence Gazette will be neatly filed in cardboard covers immediately on receipt. All orders contained in the Gazette, affecting the officers of the police station as a whole or any individual officer, shall be announced at the first roll-call held after the receipt of the Gazette. vide rule 22-11.

            Gazetted officers will see at inspections that these rules are carefully followed and that all orders, etc. in the Gazette are properly dealt with.

24    Register No. XIV/Vital Statistics (Rule 22.75): All copies of Police rules is kept up to date and gazetted officers shall see that this is done as soon as correction slip are received from the press. This registered is maintained under rule 22.75.

25    Register No. XV/Vital Statistics (Rule 22.76): A blank register of fool-scape size is maintained in every police station under rule 22.76 in which the officer in charge of the police station, on handing over charge on permanent transfer records a confidential charge not for the assistance of his successor. This note should not recapitulate matter which is already recorded on Part-IV of the village crime register or in other registers of the police station, but should deal with miscellaneous local information, which the outgoing officer has gathered during his stay in the jurisdiction and which would be lost to his successor if not recorded

(12) City Police Administration

12.1    In the metropolitan and other big cities, the commissionerate system of policing is adopted. Under this system the Commissioner of Police is made responsible for the city police administration and the entire police force is placed under his charge.

12.2    Unlike SSP/SP who acts under the general control and direction of District Magistrate (DM)/District Collector, the Commissioner of Police acts independently of the District Magistrate. Commissioner of Police is endowed with all the magisterial powers which are usually exercised by the District Magistrate in a district. In City Police administration, District Magistrate has no role.

12.3    In this police system, Commissioner of Police is assisted by a number of police officers in this hierarchy – Additional Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and so on.

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