Every country has an external defence and an internal law enforcement agency. The internal law enforcement agency is called the ‘Police’. In India also there is a law enforcement agency called the Indian Police. They can be either under state of the centre.
Every rank has its own insignia and it is difficult to understand as to which rank the person belongs as the insignia is confusing to those who are not into the organisation. We bring to you the organisational structure of the Indian police.
The structure can be divided in categories as follows:-
- Gazetted Officer
a. All Indian Police Services (IPS) officers which are Class I officers of the cadre
b. All State Police Services Officers above the rank of Inspector are Class II Gazetted Officers
- Non Gazetted Officers
Gazetted Officers
Indian Police Services (IPS)
Common to all ranks:- ‘IPS’ is attached on shoulder or every IPS officer.
Director of Intelligence Bureau (Government Of India)
Abbreviation:- DIB (GOI)
Insignia:- National Emblem above One star above Crossed Sword and Baton
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Commissioner of Police (State) or Director General of Police
Abbreviation:- CP or DGP
Insignia:- National Emblem above Crossed Sword and Baton
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Joint Commissioner of Police or Inspector General of Police
Abbreviation:- JCP or IGP
Insignia:- One Star above Crossed Sword and Baton
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Additional Commissioner of Police or Deputy Inspector General of Police
Abbreviation:- ADL.CP or DIG
Insignia:- National Emblem above three stars in a triangle
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Selection grade) or Senior Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- DCP or SSP
Insignia:- National Emblem above two stars
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Deputy Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- DCP or SP
Insignia:- National Emblem above one-star
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police or Additional Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- ADL.DCP or ASP
Insignia:- National Emblem
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Commissioner of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- ACP or DSP
Insignia:- Three stars
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Probationary Rank: 2 years of service)
Abbreviation:- ASST.SP
Insignia:- Two stars
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Probationary Rank: 1 year of service)
Abbreviation:- ASST.SP
Insignia:- One Star
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
State Police Services
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Selection grade) or Senior Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- DCP or SSP
Insignia:- National Emblem above two star
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Deputy Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- DCP or SP
Insignia:- National Emblem above one Star
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police or Additional Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- ADL.DCP or ASP
Insignia:- National Emblem
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Commissioner of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation:- ACP or DSP
Insignia:- Three Stars
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Non-Gazetted Officers
Indian State Police
Inspector of Police
Abbreviation:- INS
Insignia:- Three stars with a red and blue ribbon at the outer edge of the shoulder straps
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Inspector of Police
Abbreviation:- API
Insignia:- Three stars with a red ribbon at the outer edge of the shoulder straps
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Sub-Inspector of Police
Abbreviation:- SI
Insignia:- Two stars with a red and blue ribbon at the outer edge of the shoulder straps
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police
Abbreviation:- ASI
Insignia:- One Star with a red and blue ribbon at the outer edge of the shoulder straps
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Police Head Constable
Abbreviation:- HPC
Insignia:- Three chevrons points facing downwards or Navy Blue coloured epaulettes with three golden stripes on the Shoulder
Symbol on sleeve or Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Senior Police Constable
Abbreviation:- SPC
Insignia:- Two chevrons points facing downwards or Navy Blue coloured epaulettes with two golden stripes on the Shoulder
Symbol on sleeve or Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Police Constable
Abbreviation:- PC
Insignia:- No insignia except khaki uniform
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Do not forget to share your views in comments below.