Hierarchy Of Police Ranks In India (With Insignia)

Police officers are civil workers with the authority to carry out the law, maintain public order by the restrained use of force, and are essential to the operation and support of the nation's legal system. If you are interested in maintaining law and order and want to play a proactive role in enhancing society's well-being, joining the police force may be thrilling for you. Choosing the profession that best suits you might be made easier by understanding the police rank structure.

Hierarchy Of Police Ranks

Law and order is a state subject, according the 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. As a result, each state has its own terminology and organisational structure for police officers. While some states maintain the old directorate structure, others use the police commissioner system. In India, the state police force's traditional organisational structure and the rank insignia are as follows:

Director general of police (DGP): Crossed sword, baton and state emblem
Additional director general of police (ADGP): Crossed sword, baton and state emblem
Inspector general of police (IGP): Crossed sword, baton and one star
Deputy inspector general of police (DIG): State emblem and three stars
Senior superintendent of police (SSP): State emblem and two stars
Superintendent of police (SP): State emblem and one star
Additional superintendent of police (ASP): State emblem
Deputy superintendent of police (DSP): Three stars
Inspector: Three stars and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
Sub-inspector (SI): Two stars and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
Assistant sub inspector (ASI): One star and a ribbon ½" in width, half red and half blue, worn horizontally, red colour facing the stars
Head constable: Three stripes on the upper part of the arm sleeve
Police constable: Police constables do not have any insignia.

Primary Responsibility And Salary Of Police At Different Ranks

Since maintaining law and order is a governmental responsibility, Indian state police units answer to their respective state governments. Through the corresponding governors or administrators, the central government in India controls the central armed police force (CAPF), police, and departments of the union territories.

Indian police recruit at four different levels: constabulary, upper subordinate, state police service, and Indian police service. According to the Seventh Central Pay Commission, the basic responsibilities of the various police positions and pay are as follows:

1. Director General Of Police

Salary: The salary of DGP is ₹2,25,000 per month plus allowances.

The DGP oversees all police operations as one of his main responsibilities. In accordance with police acts, they provide regulations and directives and provide the government with advice on managing the police force. They serve as the central figurehead for decisions that are crucial for containing large-scale strikes, mass rallies, and other forms of public unrest.

2. Additional Director General Of Police

Salary: The initial salary of ADGP is ₹2,05,400 per month plus allowances.

Primary responsibilities: The ADGP supports the DGP and assumes control of those functions when they are not present. In matters of crime, management, law and order, and technical and specialised services in the department, they provide advice to the DGP. Based on the established regulations, the state government establishes the duties, authority, and functions of the ADGP. They examine each unit they are responsible for.

3. Inspector General Of Police

Salary: The initial salary of the IGP is ₹1,44,200 per month plus

allowances.

The IGP's main responsibilities are to support the DGP or ADGP in ranges or units. In administrative problems that fall under the scope of the department units they are in charge of, they support the DGP and ADGP. All of the department head's legal financial and administrative authority is exercisable by the IGP. According to the DGP's directives, they inspect every unit they are responsible for.

4. Deputy Inspector General Of Police

Salary: A DIG earns ₹1,31,100 per month plus other allowances as their initial salary.

Primary responsibilities: The DIG is in command of the range, while the IGP is in charge of the zone. In this situation, the DIG's duties are comparable to those of the IGP. If the DIG oversees special units, they can support the DGP, ADGP, or IGP in cases that fall under their purview.

5. Superintendent Of Police

Salary: The SP gets ₹78,800 per month plus allowances as their initial salary.

The SP's main responsibilities include complete management of the police in a district. Their interactions with the magistracy, other officials, and non-officials are cooperative. They are primarily in charge of gathering data and taking appropriate measures to ensure local security. The SP keeps a journal detailing all of their activities and tasks they carry out, whether they are regular or not.

6. Additional Superintendent Of Police

Salary: The starting salary of the ASP is ₹67,700 per month plus allowances.

The ASP's main duty are to assist the SP. In some instances, the DGP's standing orders, approved by the government, establish the tasks, obligations, and authority of the ASP. Typically, they follow the SP's instructions when working.

7. Deputy Superintendent Of Police

Salary: The initial salary of the DSP is ₹56,100 per month plus allowances

Primary responsibilities: The DSP works under the SP's direction and supervision. The DSP oversees the investigation at crime scenes while on patrol. Additionally, they give the inspectors and sub-inspectors instructions to help with the investigations. Maintaining the daily journal, which includes information on their activities and tasks, is a crucial aspect of their employment. The SP and the range DIG often receive the weekly report from them.

8. Inspector

Salary: An inspector earns ₹44,900 plus allowances as their initial salary.

Investigating cases and directing the operation of their stations are the inspectors' primary tasks. They uphold order in the police administration under their supervision and inform the SP and DSP of their circle's status as well as the state of law and order. Once a year, they conduct a thorough inspection of all the police stations in their area.

9. Sub-Inspector

Salary: The initial salary of an SI is ₹35,400 plus allowances.

The SI's key responsibilities include preventing crimes, upholding the peace, apprehending suspicious people, looking into crimes, and carrying out orders given by superiors. They manage the police administration for the police station they are in charge of. They are accountable for upholding the police station's etiquette and ensuring that it is easily accessible. Sub-inspectors delegate tasks to their underlings and monitor their efficacy. They are the lowest-ranking government employees allowed to submit a charge sheet before a judge.

10. Head Constable

Salary: The starting salary of a head constable is ₹25,500 plus allowances.

Head constables are responsible for general duty in police stations, serving as station writers, officers in control of outposts and guards, and managing the armed reserves. They collaborate with constables, helping them comprehend the directions and carry out the tasks given by the SI. The team leader's head constables provide support throughout case investigations and aid in gathering evidence. Police constables are assigned responsibilities while SI is not present.

11. Police Constable

Salary: The starting salary of a police constable is ₹21,700 plus allowances.

Primary responsibilities: The police constables are the first to interact with the public and are the most approachable. They are in charge of guarding the vulnerable, apprehending criminals, rescuing persons in peril, and offering quick public assistance. Securing the neighbourhood, stopping disturbances of the peace, actively preventing and detecting crimes, and upholding law and order are some of their crucial responsibilities. The police officers work hard to protect people and property while carrying out their assigned tasks at events, fairs, protests, elections, and security activities.

Organisational Structure Of The Police Department

The management and operation of the Indian police forces are governed by the Police Act of 1861. State governments are permitted to create their own police forces under the Police Act. The police system is governed by laws other than the Police Act, such as the code of criminal procedure.

Every police officer in the nation is a member of either the paramilitary, special armed, or general police force. They may also be a part of the following specialised police services in addition to these two categories: