DGP full form is Director General of Police. A Director-General of Police is an Indian Police Service officer. He/she is usually the head of the police force of any state or union territory in India. DGPs report to State/Union Home Secretaries (in some states) and have subordinate officers who implement their orders and commands.
- The Director General of Police is the head of a state police force in India.
- He or she is appointed by the State Government and reports to it.
- DGP’s are assisted by one or more Additional DGPs, Joint DGs, IGPs, ADGPs and other senior officers.
- The rank insignia for a DGP in India is two stars on shoulder straps of uniform.
- A Deputy Inspector General (DIG) ranks as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
- A Deputy Inspector General (DIG) has command over all units within his jurisdiction except those under an inspector general (IG).
DGPs are under the direct command of Home/Public Sector Security (HPS-CID) minister. They are not under the command of State Police Department, though they have a say in that matter. In addition to these officers, there is one more DG rank officer in each state and Union Territory police force. The Director General of Police Special Armed Force or “Commando” (DGPA) is responsible for the police’s SWAT commando and in certain states, terrorist squads.
In addition to these officers, there is one more DG rank officer in each state and Union Territory police force. The Director General of Police Special Armed Force or “Commando” (DGPA) is responsible for the police’s SWAT commando and in certain states, terrorist squads.
At district level, the senior police officer is District Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)/ Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) who is responsible for maintaining law and order, related crime investigation, traffic management etc. In metropolitan cities like Delhi the post of DCP is upgraded to Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP). Range DIGs/Additional range IG of police and Senior Superintendent of Police, are the administrative officers for these posts.
In all other states, SSP is responsible for maintaining law and order, related crime investigation, traffic management etc. Range DIGs/Additional range IG of police and senior superintendent of police, are the administrative officers for these posts.
The Police Commissioner is a state police rank and not an equivalent to the Indian Police Service (IPS). The comparisons done between police commissioners as having more power than IPS are misconceived in nature since their jurisdictions don’t cross over. A commissioner of police is mostly in charge of Metropolitan areas, while an IPS officer can be on deputation anywhere in India. This is the reason many IPS officers are seen supervising police commissioners.
With State/UTs’ Police Act, appointment of Director General of Police is vested with State Government by and large, as per Article 317(1) read with Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule to Indian Constitution. In few State/UTs, Director General of Police may also be appointed by Union Government.
Appointment of state’s other ranks of police is done by State Public Service Commission (or equivalent body). Appointments to posts in Central Armed Police Forces are made via UPSC under Ministry of Home Affairs.