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{{short description| | {{short description|Law enforcement agency responsible for West Bengal}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox law enforcement agency | {{Infobox law enforcement agency | ||
|agencyname = West Bengal Police | | agencyname = West Bengal Police<br />পশ্চিমবঙ্গ পুলিশ | ||
| commonname = Police | |||
| abbreviation = WBP ; প: ব: পু | |||
| logo = West Bengal Police Logo.svg | |||
|commonname = | | logocaption = [[Crest (heraldry)|Crest]] of West Bengal Police | ||
|abbreviation = WBP | | badge = | ||
|logo = | | badgecaption = | ||
|logocaption = West Bengal Police | | flag = West Bengal Police Flag.svg | ||
|badge = | | flagcaption = [[Flag]] of West Bengal Police | ||
|badgecaption = | | motto = "We Care We Dare" | ||
|flag = West Bengal Police Flag. | | mottotranslated = | ||
|flagcaption = Flag of West Bengal Police | | mission = | ||
| formedyear = {{start date and age|1861}} | |||
|motto = "We Care We Dare" | | formedmonthday = | ||
|mottotranslated = | | preceding1 = | ||
|mission = | | dissolved = | ||
|formedyear = 1861 | | superseding = | ||
|formedmonthday = | | employees = 1,11,032<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bprd.nic.in|title=STATES/UTS & CPFS POLICE STRENGTH|website=bprd.nic.in}}</ref> | ||
|preceding1 = | | volunteers = | ||
|dissolved = | | budget = {{INRConvert|12845.22|c}}<br />([[Fiscal year|FY]]2026–27 est.)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://finance.wb.gov.in/writereaddata/Budget_Publication/2026_bp16_I.pdf|title=Detailed Demands for grants for 2026-27|publisher=[[Government of West Bengal]]|year=2026|pages=188|access-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
|superseding = | | legalpersonality = | ||
|employees = | | country = India | ||
|volunteers = | | countryabbr = | ||
| budget | | national = | ||
|legalpersonality = | | federal = | ||
|country = India | | international = | ||
|countryabbr = | | divtype = State | ||
|national = | | divname = [[West Bengal]] | ||
|federal = | | divdab = | ||
|international = | | subdivtype = | ||
|divtype = State | | subdivname = | ||
|divname = [[West Bengal]] | | subdivdab = | ||
|divdab = | | map = West Bengal map for WLM-IN.svg | ||
|subdivtype = | | mapcaption = Jurisdiction of the West Bengal Police | ||
|subdivname = | | sizearea = {{convert|88752|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | ||
|subdivdab = | | sizepopulation = 91,347,736 (2011) | ||
|map = IN | | legaljuris = [[West Bengal]] | ||
|mapcaption = West Bengal Police | | governingbody = [[Department of Home and Hill Affairs]] | ||
|sizearea = {{convert|88752|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | | governingbodyscnd = | ||
|sizepopulation = 91,347,736 (2011) | | constitution1 = [https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/14532/1/act3.pdf The West Bengal Police Act, 1952] | ||
|legaljuris = [[West Bengal | | police = yes | ||
|governingbody = [[ | | local = yes | ||
|governingbodyscnd = | | military = | ||
|constitution1 = The West Bengal Police Act, 1952 | | provost = | ||
|police = yes | | gendarmerie = Combat Force | ||
|local = yes | | religious = | ||
|military | | speciality1 = | ||
|provost = | | overviewtype = | ||
|gendarmerie = Combat Force | | overviewbody = | ||
|religious = | | headquarters = Bhabani Bhawan, [[Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal]] | ||
|speciality1 = | | hqlocmap = | ||
|overviewtype = | | hqlocmappoptitle = | ||
|overviewbody = | | sworntype = Gazetted Officer | ||
|headquarters = Bhabani Bhawan, [[Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal]] | | sworn = 200 IPS officers<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wbpolice.gov.in/wbp/Common/WBP_IPS_Posting_new.aspx|title=West Bengal Police|access-date=15 May 2021|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427134817/http://www.wbpolice.gov.in/wbp/Common/WBP_IPS_Posting_new.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
|hqlocmap = | | unsworntype = | ||
|hqlocmappoptitle = | | unsworn = | ||
|sworntype = | | multinational = | ||
|sworn = 200 IPS officers<ref>http://wbpolice.gov.in/wbp/Common/WBP_IPS_Posting_new.aspx</ref> | | electeetype = Minister | ||
|unsworntype = | | minister1name = [[Mamata Banerjee]] | ||
|unsworn = | | minister1pfo = {{small|[[Department of Home and Hill Affairs|Department of Home and Hill Affairs of West Bengal]]}} | ||
|multinational = | | chief1name = Siddh Nath Gupta ''(acting)'', [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] | ||
|electeetype = Minister | | chief1position = {{small|[[Director General of Police]]}} | ||
|minister1name = [[Mamata Banerjee]] | | parentagency = | ||
|minister1pfo = [[Department of Home | | child1agency = [[CID West Bengal]] | ||
|chief1name = | | child2agency = [[Counter Insurgency Force|Counter Insurgency Force (CIF)]] | ||
|chief1position = [[Director General of Police | | child3agency = [[Eastern Frontier Rifles]] | ||
|parentagency = [[ | | child4agency = [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]] | ||
|child2agency = [[ | | child5agency = [[Specially Trained Armed Company]] | ||
|child3agency = [[ | | child6agency = [[Bengal Marine Police]] | ||
|child4agency = | | child7agency = [[Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBn)]] | ||
|child5agency = | | unittype = | ||
|child6agency = | | unitname = | ||
|child7agency = | | officetype = City unit | ||
|unittype = | | officename = {{flatlist| | ||
|unitname = | * [[Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate|ADPC]] | ||
|officetype = | * [[Barrackpore Police Commissionerate|BPC]] | ||
|officename = | * [[Bidhannagar City Police|BCP]] | ||
|provideragency = | * [[Chandannagar Police Commissionerate|CPC]] | ||
|uniformedas = | * [[Howrah City Police|HCP]] | ||
|stationtype = | * [[Siliguri Metropolitan Police|SMP]] | ||
|stations = | }} | ||
|airbases = | | provideragency = | ||
|lockuptype = | | uniformedas = | ||
|lockups = | | stationtype = Police Stations | ||
|vehicle1type = | | stations = 516<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2022 |title=Police Stations under West Bengal Police Jurisdection |url=https://wb.gov.in/government-police-administration.aspx |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Department of Information & Cultural Affairs(I&CA), Government of West Bengal |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628014759/https://wb.gov.in/government-police-administration.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
|vehicles1 = | | airbases = | ||
|boat1type = | | lockuptype = | ||
|boats1 = | | lockups = | ||
|aircraft1type = | | vehicle1type = Vehicle types | ||
|aircraft1 = | | vehicles1 = {{flatlist| | ||
|animal1type = | * [[Harley-Davidson Street|Harley-Davidson Street 750]] | ||
|animals1 = | * [[Tata Nexon|TATA Nexon.ev]] | ||
|person1name = | * [[Mahindra TUV 300]] | ||
|person1reason = | * [[Mahindra Rakshak]] | ||
|person1type = | * [[Mahindra Marksman]] | ||
|programme1 = | }} | ||
|activity1name = | | boat1type = Vessels | ||
|activitytype = | | boats1 = 7<ref name="mha1">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2013 |title=Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no.2870 on COASTAL SECURITY No.29/RN/Ref./November/2013 |url=https://loksabhadocs.nic.in/Refinput/New_Reference_Notes/English/Coastal_Security.pdf |access-date=11 March 2013 |website=loksabhadocs.nic.in}}</ref> | ||
|anniversary1 = | | boat2type = Jetties | ||
|award1 = | | boats2 = 4<ref name="mha1"/> | ||
|website = | | aircraft1type = | ||
|footnotes = | | aircraft1 = | ||
|reference = | | animal1type = Dogs | ||
| animals1 = 60<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minhaj |first=Adnan |date=7 Nov 2021 |title=West Bengal Police to set up dog squads in all districts |pages=Offbeat |work=[[The Siasat Daily]] 7:39 pm IST |url=https://www.siasat.com/west-bengal-police-to-set-up-dog-squads-in-all-districts-2221687/ |access-date=7 Nov 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107152508/http://www.siasat.com/west-bengal-police-to-set-up-dog-squads-in-all-districts-2221687/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| person1name = | |||
| person1reason = | |||
| person1type = | |||
| programme1 = | |||
| activity1name = | |||
| activitytype = | |||
| anniversary1 = | |||
| award1 = | |||
| website = {{URL|https://wbpolice.gov.in/}} | |||
| footnotes = | |||
| reference = | |||
}} | }} | ||
The West Bengal Police | The '''West Bengal Police''' ({{langx|bn|পশ্চিমবঙ্গ পুলিশ}}) is the primary [[law enforcement]] agency for the Indian state of [[West Bengal]], excluding the metropolitan area of [[Kolkata]], which has its own separate police force. It is responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens across the state. Established under the [[Police Act, 1861]], the force operates under the administrative control of the | ||
[[Department of Home and Hill Affairs]] of [[Government of West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wbpolice.gov.in/|title=Official Website of West Bengal Police|access-date=2025-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=India. Ministry of Home Affairs|title=Annual Report of the Ministry of Home Affairs|year=2023|publisher=Government of India}}</ref> | |||
The West Bengal Police was reorganized under provisions of the Police Act 1861 during the [[British Raj]]. It is headed by an officer designated as the [[Director General of Police]] who reports to the State Government through the Home (Police) Department. '''Shri Siddh Nath Gupta''', an IPS officer of the 1992 batch is the acting DGP of West Bengal Police since 17 March 2026. | |||
The West Bengal Police has jurisdiction concurrent with the twenty-two revenue districts of the State (excluding the metropolitan city of [[Kolkata]]) which comprises one of the two general police districts of West Bengal under the Police Act 1861. The other general police district consists of the major portions of the metropolitan area of [[Kolkata]], and has a separate police force ([[Kolkata Police|Kolkata Police Commissionerate]]) constituted and administered under the Calcutta Police Act 1866 & Calcutta (Suburban Police) Act 1866. This arrangement, unique in India, was conceived during colonial times when Calcutta was the capital of British India. The city police have been kept independent of the state police force.{{fact|date=March 2025}} | |||
The police | |||
== | ==Organisational structure== | ||
West Bengal Police | West Bengal Police '''Ten Police Ranges''' in '''three zones''' and a '''Railways zone'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wbpolice.gov.in/WBP/Common/WBP_Org_Structure.aspx|title=Organization chart of West Bengal Police|work=WBP|access-date=2019-05-30|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603033937/http://wbpolice.gov.in/WBP/Common/WBP_Org_Structure.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
{|class="wikitable" | {|class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Zone !! Ranges !! Districts | !Zone !! Ranges !! Districts | ||
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=3| South Bengal Zone || Presidency Range || [[Baruipur subdivision|Baruipur Police District]] | |rowspan=3| South Bengal Zone || Presidency Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Baruipur subdivision|Baruipur Police District]] | [[Diamond Harbour subdivision|Diamond Harbour Police District]] | [[Sundarbans district|Sundarbans Police District]] | [[Howrah district|Howrah Rural Police]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Murshidabad Range || [[Krishnanagar Sadar subdivision|Krishnanagar Police District]] | | Murshidabad Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Krishnanagar Sadar subdivision|Krishnanagar Police District]]| [[Ranaghat subdivision|Ranaghat Police District]] | [[Jangipur police district]] | [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Barasat Range || [[Barasat Sadar subdivision|Barasat Police District]] | | Barasat Range ||{{hlist | ||
| [[Barasat Sadar subdivision|Barasat Police District]]| [[Basirhat subdivision|Basirhat Police District]] | [[Bangaon subdivision|Bongaon Police District]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=3| Western Zone || Burdwan Range || [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] | |rowspan=3| Western Zone || Burdwan Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] | [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]] | [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]] | [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Midnapore Range || [[Paschim Medinipur]] | | Midnapore Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Paschim Medinipur]] | [[Purba Medinipur]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Bankura Range || [[Bankura district|Bankura]] | | Bankura Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Bankura district|Bankura]]| [[Purulia district|Purulia]] | [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan=4| North Bengal Zone || Jalpaiguri Range || |[[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]] | | rowspan=4| North Bengal Zone || Jalpaiguri Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]| [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]] | [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Darjeeling Range || [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] | | Darjeeling Range ||{{hlist | ||
| [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] | [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Malda Range || [[Malda district|Malda]] | | Malda Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Malda district|Malda]] | [[South Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Raiganj Range || [[ | | Raiganj Range || {{hlist | ||
|[[Raiganj subdivision|Raiganj Police District]] | [[Islampur subdivision|Islampur Police District]]}} | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan=3| Railway Zone || Eastern Railway || {{hlist | |||
|[[Malda railway division]]| [[Howrah railway division]]| [[Asansol railway division]] |[[Sealdah railway division]]}} | |||
|- | |||
| South Eastern Railway || {{hlist | |||
|[[Kharagpur railway division]]| [[Adra railway division]]| [[Ranchi railway division]]}} | |||
|- | |||
| Northeast Frontier Railway || {{hlist | |||
|[[Alipurduar railway division]]| [[Katihar railway division]]}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
===Police commissionerates=== | ===Police commissionerates=== | ||
A police commissionerate is a law enforcement body especially in the urban parts of the state. The commissionerate is headed by a [[Commissioner of Police]]. There are Six commissionerates under West Bengal Police for Urban Area policing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2017 |title=New Chandannagar Police Commissionerate in Hooghly district |work=[[Business Standard]] Jun 30 2017 {{!}} 9:07 PM IST |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/new-chandannagar-police-commissionerate-in-hooghly-district-117063001203_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723063417/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/new-chandannagar-police-commissionerate-in-hooghly-district-117063001203_1.html |archive-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> The [[Howrah Police Commissionerate|Howrah]], [[Chandannagar Police Commissionerate|Chandannagar]], [[Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate|Asansol-Durgapur]] & the [[Siliguri Police Commissionerate|Siliguri]] Police commissionerates are headed by Commissioner of Police (CP) who are of the rank of [[Deputy Inspector General of Police]] (DIG) while the [[Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate|Bidhanagar]] and [[Barrackpore Police Commissionerate|Barrackpore]] police commissionerates are headed by Commissioner of Police of the rank of [[Inspector General of Police]] (IGP).<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2011 |title=City-style policing in Bidhannagar |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]] 15.09.11, 12:00 AM |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/city-style-policing-in-bidhannagar/cid/1196119 |url-status=live |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722134152/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/city-style-policing-in-bidhannagar/cid/1196119 |archive-date=22 July 2023}}</ref> | |||
In November 2017 the [[Government of West Bengal]] has proposed to set up two more police commissionerates at [[Haldia]] in East Midnapore and [[Kharagpur]] in West Midnapore to ensure better policing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 Nov 2017 |title=WB govt to set up two new police commissionerates |work=[[The New Indian Express]] 15th November 2017 01:00 PM |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]] |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/pti-news/2017/nov/15/wb-govt-to-set-up-two-new-police-commissionerates-1701634.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 Nov 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020140515/https://www.newindianexpress.com/pti-news/2017/nov/15/wb-govt-to-set-up-two-new-police-commissionerates-1701634.html |archive-date=20 Oct 2018}}</ref> | |||
All these police commissionerates are under the direct control of [[Director general of police]]. | |||
* [[Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate]] | * [[Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate]] | ||
* [[Barrackpore Police | * [[Barrackpore City Police]] | ||
* [[Bidhannagar Police | * [[Bidhannagar City Police]] | ||
* [[Chandannagar Police Commissionerate]] | * [[Chandannagar Police Commissionerate]] | ||
* [[Howrah Police | * [[Howrah City Police]] | ||
* [[Siliguri Police | * [[Siliguri Metropolitan Police]] | ||
===Marine Police=== | |||
Since the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], the [[Government of India]] took the decision to strengthen coastal security and several important decisions were taken and launched a multi-tier arrangement for protection and maritime security of the country scheme. In April 2011, Government of India sanctioned 14 coastal police stations, surveillance equipment, computer systems, furniture and jetties for the West Bengal's share of the 157.50 km coastline under the Coastal Security Scheme Phase-II.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Nov 2013 |title=Coastal Security |url=https://loksabhadocs.nic.in/Refinput/New_Reference_Notes/English/Coastal_Security.pdf |access-date=1 Nov 2013 |website=loksabhadocs.nic.in |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162742/https://loksabhadocs.nic.in/Refinput/New_Reference_Notes/English/Coastal_Security.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Organisational divisions=== | |||
====Zones==== | |||
The police administration in the state is divided into three police zones and a Government Railway Police (GRP) Zone, each headed by an [[Inspector General of Police]]. Each Zone consists of one or more '''Ranges''' headed by an officer designated as the [[Deputy Inspector General of Police]] (or Special Inspector General of Police). In all, there are 28 police districts (including four consisting of Government Railway Police districts), each headed by a [[Superintendent of Police]]. The three Zones are ''South Bengal Zone'', ''Western Bengal Zone'' and ''North Bengal Zone'', and an office of the ''IGP Railways''. | |||
Besides, there are some other IGP ranked officers in the following department: Coastal Security, Fire & Emergency Services, Training, Provisioning, Armed Police (AP), Enforcement Bureau (EB), Administration, Law & Orders, Telecommunications, CID, Traffic, WBPRB, SVSPA, [[Counter Insurgency Force|CIF]], [[Special Task Force (India)|STF]], Vigilance Commission etc. | |||
====Ranges==== | |||
Each Range comprises two or more districts or one district divided into multiple police districts. The Range is headed by a [[Deputy Inspector General of Police]] (DIG). In West Bengal there are 10 ranges. | |||
Besides, there are DIG ranked officers in the department of Traffic, Railways, States Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), [[CID West Bengal]], Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), AP Barrackpore, AP Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) Salua, AP North Bengal, AP Durgapur, AP Siliguri, Border, Enforcement Bureau (EB), Intelligence Bureau, Fire Services, Headquarter (HQ), Police Training Center (PTS), Training, Personnel & Weapon, Provisioning, Telecommunication, WBNVF, Civil Defence etc. | |||
====Districts==== | |||
Each Police District is either coterminous with the Revenue district or in the case of Government Railway Police districts, is located within a number of revenue districts. It is headed by a [[Superintendent (police)#India|District Superintendent of Police]] (or simply called Superintendent of Police). Each district comprises two or more Sub-Divisions, several Circles and Police Stations. | |||
But in recent times, several districts are divided into police districts for better police administration. Each of those police districts are headed by an SP.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nandi |first1=Soumitra |title=Three new police districts to be set up |url=https://www.asianage.com/metros/kolkata/210217/three-new-police-districts-to-be-set-up.html |access-date=4 April 2020 |work=The Asian Age |date=21 February 2017 |archive-date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318224248/http://www.asianage.com/metros/kolkata/210217/three-new-police-districts-to-be-set-up.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
====Sub-Divisions==== | |||
Each Sub-Division is headed by one Police officer of the rank Deputy Superintendent of Police (members of [[West Bengal Police Service]], a directly recruited officer or one promoted from the ranks) or an Assistant Superintendent of Police (members of Indian Police Service). In West Bengal, the officer who heads a Sub-Division is known as SDPO i.e. Sub Divisional Police Officer. | |||
====Circles==== | |||
A Circle comprises several Police Stations within a sub-division. An [[Inspector of Police]] who heads a police circle is the Circle Inspector of Police or CI. | |||
====Stations==== | |||
A Police Station is the basic unit of policing, responsible for prevention and detection of crime, maintenance of public order, enforcing law in general as well as for performing protection duties and making security arrangements for the constitutional authorities, government functionaries, representatives of the public in different legislative bodies and local self governments, public figures etc. | |||
A Police Station is headed by either a Sub-Inspector (lower subordinate rank), mostly in rural areas or an Inspector (an upper subordinate rank), mostly in urban areas. Police outposts are headed by a Sub-Inspector or Assistant Sub Inspector. After the year 2009 both ASI and SI have equal investigation power and both serve as duty officers. | |||
== Criticism == | |||
The West Bengal Police was criticised and a section of the police station under their jurisdiction was burnt by the locals of [[Kultali]], South 24 Paragnas due to the mishandling of rape of 10-year-old girl. It is alleged that they also harassed the parents of the minor while registering complaint and the locals and police indulged into a violent clash due to the underlying incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Subham bajpai |first1=India TV News |last2=Bajpai |first2=India TV News |date=2024-10-05 |title=West Bengal: 10-year-old girl raped, killed in South 24 Parganas, villagers set police station on fire |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/west-bengal/kolkata-10-year-old-girl-raped-killed-in-south-24-parganas-villagers-set-police-station-on-fire-2024-10-05-955604 |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Failure to handle protest === | |||
Following the enactment of [[The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025|Waqf Bill]] widespread protest took place, but the police failed to restore peace in Murshidabad, the violence continued for several days claiming lives of many and damage of various public properties including railways. | |||
Later on April 12th 2025, a special bench was formed to urgently hear a petition filed by [[Suvendu Adhikari]], the [[Calcutta High Court]] ordered deployment of [[Central Armed Police Forces|CAPF]] along with [[Border Security Force|BSF]] to get situation under control.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-12 |title=Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in Murshidabad over clashes against Waqf Act |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/calcutta-hc-orders-deployment-of-central-forces-in-murshidabad-over-clashes-against-waqf-act/articleshow/120235604.cms |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> | |||
==Police ranks== | |||
{{Main|List of police ranks in India}} | |||
The Director General functions from the West Bengal Police<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-04 |title=The West Bengal Police: Structure, Functions, and Impact |url=https://www.svspawb.in/the-west-bengal-police/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Directorate, located in the [[Writers' Buildings]], the State Government's main Secretariat in Central Kolkata. He is assisted by a team of senior officers from the ranks of Additional Director General & Inspector General of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG — a post equivalent in rank and status to the Superintendent of Police). Officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police are selected by the [[West Bengal Public Service Commission]] through the [[West Bengal Civil Service]] (Executive & other services) examinations. In addition to this, the directly recruited Sub Inspectors of Police may also become Deputy Superintendent of Police on promotion. | |||
The West Bengal Police maintains the following ranks: | The West Bengal Police maintains the following ranks: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Designation in State Police !! Designation in Commissionerate !! Abbreviation | ! Designation in State Police !! Designation in Commissionerate !! Abbreviation !! Insignia | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Director General of Police]] || Commissioner of Police || DGP or CP | | [[Director General of Police]] || [[Commissioner of Police]] || DGP or CP || rowspan=2| [[File:IPS_DG+ADG.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Additional Director General of Police]] || Special Commissioner of Police || Addl. DGP or Spl. CP | | [[Additional Director General of Police]] || Special Commissioner of Police || Addl. DGP or Spl. CP | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Inspector General of Police]] || Additional Commissioner of Police || IGP(IG) or Addl. CP | | [[Inspector General of Police]] || Additional Commissioner of Police || IGP (IG) or Addl. CP || [[File:IPS_IG.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Deputy Inspector General of Police]] || Joint Commissioner of Police || DIG or Jt. CP | | [[Deputy Inspector General of Police]] || [[Joint Commissioner of Police]] || DIG or Jt. CP || [[File:IPS_DIG.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Senior Superintendent of Police]] || Deputy Commissioner of Police (Selection Grade) || SSP or DCP | | [[Senior Superintendent of Police]] || [[Deputy Commissioner of Police]] (Selection Grade) || SSP or DCP || [[File:IPS_SP_(SG).png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Superintendent of Police]] || Deputy Commissioner of Police || SP or DCP | | [[Superintendent of Police]] || Deputy Commissioner of Police || SP or DCP || [[File:IPS_SP.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Additional Superintendent of Police]] || Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police || Addl.. SP or Addl. DCP | | [[Additional Superintendent of Police]] || Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police || Addl.. SP or Addl. DCP || [[File:AddlSP.svg|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Deputy Superintendent of Police]]<br>/Sub Divisional Police Officer || Assistant Commissioner of Police || DSP/SDPO or ACP | | [[Deputy Superintendent of Police]]<br />/[[Sub-divisional police officer|Sub Divisional Police Officer]] || rowspan=2| [[Assistant Commissioner of Police]] || DSP/SDPO or ACP || [[File:Assistant_Superintendent_of_Police.svg|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Assistant Superintendent of Police]] || | | [[Assistant Superintendent of Police]] || ASP or ACP || [[File:IPS_three_star.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Police Inspector]] || Inspector | | [[Police Inspector]] /<br> Circle Inspector || rowspan=6|Same in both state and city police || Inspector / CI || [[File:InspectorWBP.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Sub-inspector]] || SI | | [[Sub-inspector]] || SI || [[File:Sub-Inspector.svg|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Assistant sub-inspector of police|Assistant Sub-Inspector]] || ASI | | [[Assistant sub-inspector of police|Assistant Sub-Inspector]] || ASI || [[File:Assistant_Sub-Inspector.svg|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Senior Police Constable ( Unarmed division) || | | [[Constable|Senior Police Constable]] (Unarmed division) || rowspan=2| Costable || rowspan=2|[[File:WBPConstable.png|40px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Constable|Police Constable]] (Entry level armed division) | ||
|} | |} | ||
== | ==Organisation== | ||
The Police Manual of West Bengal Police was compiled and issued during British Raj and is known as the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB), 1943 and with subsequent modifications and corrections, is the guiding source of internal Police Organization and Administration under its area of responsibility. The WBP is divided into a number of units: | |||
== | ===Local Intelligence Unit=== | ||
Post [[2014 Burdwan blast]], which unearthed Bangladesh-based militant group [[Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh]], middle-east's terrorist group [[Islamic State]] and Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] terror module, the need for strengthening the local intelligence gathering mechanism was first felt. Following the incident the state govt has set up a new intelligence agency to counter terrorism, bust terror modules and invigilate suspicious movements in West Bengal and also to foil militant infiltration into the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Saibal |date=30 Dec 2016 |title=West Bengal to get grassroots eyes & ears |pages=Kolkata News |work=[[The Times of India]] 03.07 AM IST |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/state-to-get-grassroots-eyes-ears/articleshow/56226520.cms |access-date=30 Dec 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231083227/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/state-to-get-grassroots-eyes-ears/articleshow/56226520.cms |archive-date=31 Dec 2016}}</ref> | |||
===Armed Police=== | ===Armed Police=== | ||
The [[State Armed Police Forces#West Bengal armed police forces|Armed Battalions]] consisting of State Armed Police (SAP), [[Eastern Frontier Rifles]] (EFR) and | The [[State Armed Police Forces#West Bengal armed police forces|Armed Battalions]] consisting of State Armed Police (SAP), [[Eastern Frontier Rifles]] (EFR) and Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBn), | ||
===Civil Police=== | ===Civil Police=== | ||
| Line 222: | Line 276: | ||
===STRACO=== | ===STRACO=== | ||
An elite force named | An elite force named '''Specially Trained Armed Company''' or '''STRACO''' has been created to combat insurgency & terrorism, posted in West Zone to fight Maoist guerrillas. WBP is raising another new "Counter Insurgency" force on the line of Gray Hound Special Force of [[Andhra Pradesh Police]]. | ||
===STF=== | ===STF=== | ||
West Bengal government created new directorate of the [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]] under West Bengal Police<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/west-bengal-govt-creates-new-directorate-of-special-task-force/1701426/|title=West Bengal govt creates new directorate of Special Task Force|date=10 September 2019|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]]|access-date=13 September 2019}}</ref> | West Bengal government created new directorate of the [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]] under West Bengal Police.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/west-bengal-govt-creates-new-directorate-of-special-task-force/1701426/|title=West Bengal govt creates new directorate of Special Task Force|date=10 September 2019|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]] 9 Sep 2019, 11:51 PM IST|access-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909000000/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/west-bengal-govt-creates-new-directorate-of-special-task-force/1701426/|archive-date=9 September 2019|url-status=live}} [http://archive.ptinews.com//news/10839099_WB-govt-creates-new-directorate-of-STF.html Alt URL]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | ||
The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal, formed around three years ago,{{When|date=February 2026}} to combat modern urban organized crimes - terrorism, organized gangs, illegal arms, ammunition, drugs and fake currency across the state is all set to get a police station of its own and a designated court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Dwaipayan |date=6 Jul 2022 |title=West Bengal STF to get full-fledged police station soon |work=[[The Times of India]] 21:15 IST |publication-place=Kolkata |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-stf-to-get-full-fledged-police-station-soon/articleshow/92707157.cms |url-status=live |access-date=6 Jul 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708081625/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-stf-to-get-full-fledged-police-station-soon/articleshow/92707157.cms |archive-date=8 Jul 2022}}</ref> | |||
===SVSPA=== | ===SVSPA=== | ||
The | The [[Swami Vivekananda State Police Academy]] (SVSPA) is the state level police training institution catering to the training needs of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. The Academy conducts basic training for DSP Probationers, Cadet Sub-Inspectors of both Armed & Un-Armed branches and Recruit Constables for West Bengal Police and also for Warders and Inspectors of Correctional Services, Sub-Inspectors and Sergeants of Kolkata Police. The Academy also conducts Pre-promotional training for Constables, Asst. SI's and SI's for their promotion to the next rank besides conducting various short in- service training courses on different professional issues. SVSPA is well equipped with in-house faculty members both for academic indoor training and outdoor training. Besides, a number of eminent faculty members from different disciplines take classes for the training programs. These include academicians, experts from Forensic Science Medicine, scientific officers/experts from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) & Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), lawyers, judicial officers and senior police officers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theprotector.in/svspa-the-seedbed-where-future-cops-grow/|title=SVSPA: The Seedbed Where Future Cops Grow|date=29 May 2017|work=theprotector.in|access-date=15 Feb 2019|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719014637/http://www.theprotector.in/svspa-the-seedbed-where-future-cops-grow/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
SVSPA is well equipped with in-house faculty members both for academic indoor training and outdoor training. Besides, a number of eminent faculty members from different disciplines take classes for the training programs. These include academicians, experts from Forensic Science Medicine, scientific officers/experts from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) & Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), lawyers, judicial officers and senior police officers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theprotector.in/svspa-the-seedbed-where-future-cops-grow/|title=SVSPA: The Seedbed Where Future Cops Grow|date=29 May 2017|work=theprotector.in|access-date=15 Feb 2019}}</ref> | |||
==Recruitments== | ==Recruitments== | ||
Entries are done at the following ranks: | |||
Entries are done at the following ranks: | # Recruitments to the posts of Constables / Lady constables, Sub Inspectors and Lady Sub inspectors are done by '''West Bengal Police Recruitment Board'''. | ||
# '''[[West Bengal Police Service]]''': Officers selected through ''[[West Bengal Civil Service]] (Group-B)'' etc., examination conducted by [[West Bengal Public Service Commission]] are appointed as [[Deputy Superintendent of Police]]. | |||
# '''[[Indian Police Service]]''': Officers selected through [[Civil Services Examination (India)|Civil Service Examinations]] conducted by [[Union Public Service Commission]] are appointed as [[Assistant Superintendent of Police]] during their probationary period. Upon confirmation to the service, they are appointed as [[Additional Superintendent of Police]]. | |||
===Eastern Frontier Rifles=== | ===Eastern Frontier Rifles=== | ||
{{main|Eastern Frontier Rifles}} | {{main|Eastern Frontier Rifles}} | ||
The Eastern Frontier Rifles are an armed police force of the WBP, the purpose of which is to control major law & order problems, communal riots and terrorist attacks. Many contingents of EFR are | The Eastern Frontier Rifles are an armed police force of the WBP, the purpose of which is to control major law & order problems, communal riots and terrorist attacks. Many contingents of EFR are deployed in various disturbed areas of the State. However, in recent years the effectiveness of this force has been weakened by overuse and prolonged deployment at Police Stations for day-to-day law & order duties. The headquarters of EFR is at Salua, near Kharagpur. | ||
===Counter Insurgency Force=== | ===Counter Insurgency Force=== | ||
{{main|Counter Insurgency Force}} | {{main|Counter Insurgency Force}} | ||
The specialised force of the CIF was raised by the Government following the worsening situation in the | The specialised force of the CIF was raised by the Government following the worsening situation in the [[Jungle Mahals]]. The force was charged with the specific task of curbing presence of the [[Maoism|maoists]] within the state. The force was allowed its own recruiting process so as to select the best men from within the force. The force is headed by an Additional Director General of Police ranked officer. | ||
==Insignia of West Bengal Police (State Police)== | ==Insignia of West Bengal Police (State Police)== | ||
| Line 254: | Line 303: | ||
== Equipment == | == Equipment == | ||
{ | {| class="wikitable" border="0" width="100%" | ||
! width="25%" |Name | |||
! width="25%" |Country of origin | |||
! width="25%" |Type | |||
!References | |||
|- | |||
|[[Indian Ordnance Factories .32 Revolver|IOF .32]] | |||
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|India}} | |||
|[[Revolver]] | |||
| rowspan="4" |<ref name="wb police">{{cite web |date=3 September 2014 |title=WEST BENGAL POLICE GAZETTE |url=http://www.policewb.gov.in/wbp/gazette/2014/12092014.pdf |access-date=28 May 2016 |website=www.policewb.gov.in |publisher=West Bengal Police Authority }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|[[Pistol Auto 9mm 1A]] | |||
| rowspan="2" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]] | |||
|- | |||
|[[Glock|Glock 17]] | |||
|{{Flag|Austria}} | |||
{{ | |- | ||
|[[Ordnance Factories Board|OFB]] 12 Bore Pump Action Gun | |||
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|India}} | |||
|[[Shotgun]] | |||
|- | |||
|[[Sterling submachine gun|9mm SAF Carbine 1A1]] | |||
| rowspan="3" |[[Submachine gun]] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5]] | |||
|{{Flag|Germany}} | |||
|<ref name="wb police" /> | |||
|- | |||
|[[Brügger & Thomet MP9|Colt XM177]] | |||
|{{Flag|United States}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[Lee–Enfield|Lee–Enfield Mk III]] | |||
|{{Flag|India}} | |||
| rowspan="8" |[[Rifle]] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[INSAS rifle]] | |||
| rowspan="3" |{{Flag|India}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1 SLR]] | |||
|<ref name="wb police" /> | |||
|- | |||
|[[Amogh carbine|OFB Excalibur]] | |||
|<ref>{{cite web |author=The Times of India |date=6 August 2016 |title=Excalibur muscle for Bengal police |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Excalibur-muscle-for-Bengal-police/articleshow/53565435.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222150816/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Excalibur-muscle-for-Bengal-police/articleshow/53565435.cms |archive-date=22 December 2017 |access-date=6 August 2016 |work=timesofindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=NYOOOZ |date=6 August 2016 |title=Excalibur muscle for Bengal police |url=http://www.nyoooz.com/kolkata/563893/excalibur-muscle-for-bengal-police |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821014353/http://www.nyoooz.com/kolkata/563893/excalibur-muscle-for-bengal-police |archive-date=21 August 2016 |access-date=6 August 2016 |work=nyoooz.com}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|[[AKM]] | |||
|{{Flag|Soviet Union}} | |||
|<ref name="wb police" /> | |||
|- | |||
|[[M16A2]] | |||
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|United States}} | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[M4 Carbine|M4 carbine]] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|[[SIG SG 550|SIG SG 551]] | |||
|{{Flag|Switzerland}} | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 277: | Line 372: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{ | {{notelist}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 286: | Line 381: | ||
* [http://www.cidwestbengal.gov.in Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal] | * [http://www.cidwestbengal.gov.in Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal] | ||
{{Law enforcement | {{Law enforcement agencies of India}} | ||
{{West Bengal topics}} | {{West Bengal topics}} | ||
{{authority control}} | {{authority control}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:07, 17 March 2026
| West Bengal Police পশ্চিমবঙ্গ পুলিশ | |
|---|---|
 Crest of West Bengal Police | |
 Flag of West Bengal Police | |
| Common name | Police |
| Abbreviation | WBP ; প: ব: পু |
| Motto | "We Care We Dare" |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1861 |
| Employees | 1,11,032[1] |
| Annual budget | ₹12,845.22 crore (US$1.8 billion) (FY2026–27 est.)[2] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | West Bengal, India |
 | |
| Jurisdiction of the West Bengal Police | |
| Size | 88,752 km2 (34,267 sq mi) |
| Population | 91,347,736 (2011) |
| Legal jurisdiction | West Bengal |
| Governing body | Department of Home and Hill Affairs |
| Constituting instrument | |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Bhabani Bhawan, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Gazetted Officers | 200 IPS officers[3] |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Child agencies | |
| City units | |
| Facilities | |
| Police Stations | 516[4] |
| Vehicle types | |
| Vessels | 7[5] |
| Jetties | 4[5] |
| Dogs | 60[6] |
| Website | |
| wbpolice | |
The West Bengal Police (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is the primary law enforcement agency for the Indian state of West Bengal, excluding the metropolitan area of Kolkata, which has its own separate police force. It is responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens across the state. Established under the Police Act, 1861, the force operates under the administrative control of the Department of Home and Hill Affairs of Government of West Bengal.[7][8]
The West Bengal Police was reorganized under provisions of the Police Act 1861 during the British Raj. It is headed by an officer designated as the Director General of Police who reports to the State Government through the Home (Police) Department. Shri Siddh Nath Gupta, an IPS officer of the 1992 batch is the acting DGP of West Bengal Police since 17 March 2026.
The West Bengal Police has jurisdiction concurrent with the twenty-two revenue districts of the State (excluding the metropolitan city of Kolkata) which comprises one of the two general police districts of West Bengal under the Police Act 1861. The other general police district consists of the major portions of the metropolitan area of Kolkata, and has a separate police force (Kolkata Police Commissionerate) constituted and administered under the Calcutta Police Act 1866 & Calcutta (Suburban Police) Act 1866. This arrangement, unique in India, was conceived during colonial times when Calcutta was the capital of British India. The city police have been kept independent of the state police force.[citation needed]
Organisational structure[edit | edit source]
West Bengal Police Ten Police Ranges in three zones and a Railways zone.[9]
| Zone | Ranges | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Bengal Zone | Presidency Range | |
| Murshidabad Range | ||
| Barasat Range | ||
| Western Zone | Burdwan Range | |
| Midnapore Range | ||
| Bankura Range | ||
| North Bengal Zone | Jalpaiguri Range | |
| Darjeeling Range | ||
| Malda Range | ||
| Raiganj Range | ||
| Railway Zone | Eastern Railway | |
| South Eastern Railway | ||
| Northeast Frontier Railway |
Police commissionerates[edit | edit source]
A police commissionerate is a law enforcement body especially in the urban parts of the state. The commissionerate is headed by a Commissioner of Police. There are Six commissionerates under West Bengal Police for Urban Area policing.[10] The Howrah, Chandannagar, Asansol-Durgapur & the Siliguri Police commissionerates are headed by Commissioner of Police (CP) who are of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) while the Bidhanagar and Barrackpore police commissionerates are headed by Commissioner of Police of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP).[11] In November 2017 the Government of West Bengal has proposed to set up two more police commissionerates at Haldia in East Midnapore and Kharagpur in West Midnapore to ensure better policing.[12]
All these police commissionerates are under the direct control of Director general of police.
- Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate
- Barrackpore City Police
- Bidhannagar City Police
- Chandannagar Police Commissionerate
- Howrah City Police
- Siliguri Metropolitan Police
Marine Police[edit | edit source]
Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Government of India took the decision to strengthen coastal security and several important decisions were taken and launched a multi-tier arrangement for protection and maritime security of the country scheme. In April 2011, Government of India sanctioned 14 coastal police stations, surveillance equipment, computer systems, furniture and jetties for the West Bengal's share of the 157.50 km coastline under the Coastal Security Scheme Phase-II.[13]
Organisational divisions[edit | edit source]
Zones[edit | edit source]
The police administration in the state is divided into three police zones and a Government Railway Police (GRP) Zone, each headed by an Inspector General of Police. Each Zone consists of one or more Ranges headed by an officer designated as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (or Special Inspector General of Police). In all, there are 28 police districts (including four consisting of Government Railway Police districts), each headed by a Superintendent of Police. The three Zones are South Bengal Zone, Western Bengal Zone and North Bengal Zone, and an office of the IGP Railways.
Besides, there are some other IGP ranked officers in the following department: Coastal Security, Fire & Emergency Services, Training, Provisioning, Armed Police (AP), Enforcement Bureau (EB), Administration, Law & Orders, Telecommunications, CID, Traffic, WBPRB, SVSPA, CIF, STF, Vigilance Commission etc.
Ranges[edit | edit source]
Each Range comprises two or more districts or one district divided into multiple police districts. The Range is headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). In West Bengal there are 10 ranges.
Besides, there are DIG ranked officers in the department of Traffic, Railways, States Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), CID West Bengal, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), AP Barrackpore, AP Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) Salua, AP North Bengal, AP Durgapur, AP Siliguri, Border, Enforcement Bureau (EB), Intelligence Bureau, Fire Services, Headquarter (HQ), Police Training Center (PTS), Training, Personnel & Weapon, Provisioning, Telecommunication, WBNVF, Civil Defence etc.
Districts[edit | edit source]
Each Police District is either coterminous with the Revenue district or in the case of Government Railway Police districts, is located within a number of revenue districts. It is headed by a District Superintendent of Police (or simply called Superintendent of Police). Each district comprises two or more Sub-Divisions, several Circles and Police Stations. But in recent times, several districts are divided into police districts for better police administration. Each of those police districts are headed by an SP.[14]
Sub-Divisions[edit | edit source]
Each Sub-Division is headed by one Police officer of the rank Deputy Superintendent of Police (members of West Bengal Police Service, a directly recruited officer or one promoted from the ranks) or an Assistant Superintendent of Police (members of Indian Police Service). In West Bengal, the officer who heads a Sub-Division is known as SDPO i.e. Sub Divisional Police Officer.
Circles[edit | edit source]
A Circle comprises several Police Stations within a sub-division. An Inspector of Police who heads a police circle is the Circle Inspector of Police or CI.
Stations[edit | edit source]
A Police Station is the basic unit of policing, responsible for prevention and detection of crime, maintenance of public order, enforcing law in general as well as for performing protection duties and making security arrangements for the constitutional authorities, government functionaries, representatives of the public in different legislative bodies and local self governments, public figures etc.
A Police Station is headed by either a Sub-Inspector (lower subordinate rank), mostly in rural areas or an Inspector (an upper subordinate rank), mostly in urban areas. Police outposts are headed by a Sub-Inspector or Assistant Sub Inspector. After the year 2009 both ASI and SI have equal investigation power and both serve as duty officers.
Criticism[edit | edit source]
The West Bengal Police was criticised and a section of the police station under their jurisdiction was burnt by the locals of Kultali, South 24 Paragnas due to the mishandling of rape of 10-year-old girl. It is alleged that they also harassed the parents of the minor while registering complaint and the locals and police indulged into a violent clash due to the underlying incident.[15]
Failure to handle protest[edit | edit source]
Following the enactment of Waqf Bill widespread protest took place, but the police failed to restore peace in Murshidabad, the violence continued for several days claiming lives of many and damage of various public properties including railways.
Later on April 12th 2025, a special bench was formed to urgently hear a petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, the Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of CAPF along with BSF to get situation under control.[16]
Police ranks[edit | edit source]
The Director General functions from the West Bengal Police[17] Directorate, located in the Writers' Buildings, the State Government's main Secretariat in Central Kolkata. He is assisted by a team of senior officers from the ranks of Additional Director General & Inspector General of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG — a post equivalent in rank and status to the Superintendent of Police). Officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police are selected by the West Bengal Public Service Commission through the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive & other services) examinations. In addition to this, the directly recruited Sub Inspectors of Police may also become Deputy Superintendent of Police on promotion.
The West Bengal Police maintains the following ranks:
| Designation in State Police | Designation in Commissionerate | Abbreviation | Insignia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director General of Police | Commissioner of Police | DGP or CP | 
|
| Additional Director General of Police | Special Commissioner of Police | Addl. DGP or Spl. CP | |
| Inspector General of Police | Additional Commissioner of Police | IGP (IG) or Addl. CP | 
|
| Deputy Inspector General of Police | Joint Commissioner of Police | DIG or Jt. CP | 
|
| Senior Superintendent of Police | Deputy Commissioner of Police (Selection Grade) | SSP or DCP | .png){kind=small}
|
| Superintendent of Police | Deputy Commissioner of Police | SP or DCP | 
|
| Additional Superintendent of Police | Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police | Addl.. SP or Addl. DCP | 
|
| Deputy Superintendent of Police /Sub Divisional Police Officer |
Assistant Commissioner of Police | DSP/SDPO or ACP | 
|
| Assistant Superintendent of Police | ASP or ACP | 
| |
| Police Inspector / Circle Inspector |
Same in both state and city police | Inspector / CI | 
|
| Sub-inspector | SI | 
| |
| Assistant Sub-Inspector | ASI | 
| |
| Senior Police Constable (Unarmed division) | Costable | 
| |
| Police Constable (Entry level armed division) |
Organisation[edit | edit source]
The Police Manual of West Bengal Police was compiled and issued during British Raj and is known as the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB), 1943 and with subsequent modifications and corrections, is the guiding source of internal Police Organization and Administration under its area of responsibility. The WBP is divided into a number of units:
Local Intelligence Unit[edit | edit source]
Post 2014 Burdwan blast, which unearthed Bangladesh-based militant group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, middle-east's terrorist group Islamic State and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence terror module, the need for strengthening the local intelligence gathering mechanism was first felt. Following the incident the state govt has set up a new intelligence agency to counter terrorism, bust terror modules and invigilate suspicious movements in West Bengal and also to foil militant infiltration into the state.[18]
Armed Police[edit | edit source]
The Armed Battalions consisting of State Armed Police (SAP), Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) and Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBn),
Civil Police[edit | edit source]
The Civil Police consists of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Counter Insurgency Force (CIF), Enforcement Branch (EB), Intelligence Branch (IB), Traffic Branch, Police Telecommunications, Training Wing, State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) & Police Computer Centre (PCC).
STRACO[edit | edit source]
An elite force named Specially Trained Armed Company or STRACO has been created to combat insurgency & terrorism, posted in West Zone to fight Maoist guerrillas. WBP is raising another new "Counter Insurgency" force on the line of Gray Hound Special Force of Andhra Pradesh Police.
STF[edit | edit source]
West Bengal government created new directorate of the Special Task Force under West Bengal Police.[19] The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal, formed around three years ago,[when?] to combat modern urban organized crimes - terrorism, organized gangs, illegal arms, ammunition, drugs and fake currency across the state is all set to get a police station of its own and a designated court.[20]
SVSPA[edit | edit source]
The Swami Vivekananda State Police Academy (SVSPA) is the state level police training institution catering to the training needs of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. The Academy conducts basic training for DSP Probationers, Cadet Sub-Inspectors of both Armed & Un-Armed branches and Recruit Constables for West Bengal Police and also for Warders and Inspectors of Correctional Services, Sub-Inspectors and Sergeants of Kolkata Police. The Academy also conducts Pre-promotional training for Constables, Asst. SI's and SI's for their promotion to the next rank besides conducting various short in- service training courses on different professional issues. SVSPA is well equipped with in-house faculty members both for academic indoor training and outdoor training. Besides, a number of eminent faculty members from different disciplines take classes for the training programs. These include academicians, experts from Forensic Science Medicine, scientific officers/experts from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) & Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), lawyers, judicial officers and senior police officers.[21]
Recruitments[edit | edit source]
Entries are done at the following ranks:
- Recruitments to the posts of Constables / Lady constables, Sub Inspectors and Lady Sub inspectors are done by West Bengal Police Recruitment Board.
- West Bengal Police Service: Officers selected through West Bengal Civil Service (Group-B) etc., examination conducted by West Bengal Public Service Commission are appointed as Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- Indian Police Service: Officers selected through Civil Service Examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission are appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Police during their probationary period. Upon confirmation to the service, they are appointed as Additional Superintendent of Police.
Eastern Frontier Rifles[edit | edit source]
The Eastern Frontier Rifles are an armed police force of the WBP, the purpose of which is to control major law & order problems, communal riots and terrorist attacks. Many contingents of EFR are deployed in various disturbed areas of the State. However, in recent years the effectiveness of this force has been weakened by overuse and prolonged deployment at Police Stations for day-to-day law & order duties. The headquarters of EFR is at Salua, near Kharagpur.
Counter Insurgency Force[edit | edit source]
The specialised force of the CIF was raised by the Government following the worsening situation in the Jungle Mahals. The force was charged with the specific task of curbing presence of the maoists within the state. The force was allowed its own recruiting process so as to select the best men from within the force. The force is headed by an Additional Director General of Police ranked officer.
Insignia of West Bengal Police (State Police)[edit | edit source]
| Insignia | 
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Additional Superintendent of Police | Deputy Superintendent of Police | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abbreviation | Addl. SP | DSP/Dy. SP | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insignia | 
|
|
|
|
  |
 
|
No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Inspector | Assistant Inspector[note 1] | Sub-inspector | Assistant Sub-inspector | Head constable[note 2] | Senior Police Constable Police Naik[note 3] |
Constable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abbreviation | INS | API | SI | ASI | HC | SC | PC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equipment[edit | edit source]
| Name | Country of origin | Type | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOF .32 |  India
|
Revolver | [28] |
| Pistol Auto 9mm 1A | Semi-automatic pistol | ||
| Glock 17 |  Austria
| ||
| OFB 12 Bore Pump Action Gun | India
|
Shotgun | |
| 9mm SAF Carbine 1A1 | Submachine gun | ||
| Heckler & Koch MP5 |  Germany
|
[28] | |
| Colt XM177 |  United States
|
||
| Lee–Enfield Mk III | India
|
Rifle | |
| INSAS rifle | India
|
||
| L1A1 SLR | [28] | ||
| OFB Excalibur | [29][30] | ||
| AKM | Template:Country data Soviet Union | [28] | |
| M16A2 | United States
|
||
| M4 carbine | |||
| SIG SG 551 |  Switzerland
|
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "STATES/UTS & CPFS POLICE STRENGTH". bprd.nic.in.
- ↑ Detailed Demands for grants for 2026-27 (PDF). Government of West Bengal. 2026. p. 188. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ↑ "West Bengal Police". Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ↑ "Police Stations under West Bengal Police Jurisdection". Department of Information & Cultural Affairs(I&CA), Government of West Bengal. 30 April 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no.2870 on COASTAL SECURITY No.29/RN/Ref./November/2013" (PDF). loksabhadocs.nic.in. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ↑ Minhaj, Adnan (7 November 2021). "West Bengal Police to set up dog squads in all districts". The Siasat Daily 7:39 pm IST. pp. Offbeat. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ↑ "Official Website of West Bengal Police". Retrieved 21 April 2025.
- ↑ India. Ministry of Home Affairs (2023). Annual Report of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Government of India.
- ↑ "Organization chart of West Bengal Police". WBP. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ↑ "New Chandannagar Police Commissionerate in Hooghly district". Business Standard Jun 30 2017 | 9:07 PM IST. 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ↑ "City-style policing in Bidhannagar". The Telegraph (India) 15.09.11, 12:00 AM. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ↑ "WB govt to set up two new police commissionerates". The New Indian Express 15th November 2017 01:00 PM. Press Trust of India. 1 November 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ↑ "Coastal Security" (PDF). loksabhadocs.nic.in. 1 November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ↑ Nandi, Soumitra (21 February 2017). "Three new police districts to be set up". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ↑ Subham bajpai, India TV News; Bajpai, India TV News (5 October 2024). "West Bengal: 10-year-old girl raped, killed in South 24 Parganas, villagers set police station on fire". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ↑ "Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in Murshidabad over clashes against Waqf Act". The Economic Times. 12 April 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ↑ "The West Bengal Police: Structure, Functions, and Impact". 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ↑ Gupta, Saibal (30 December 2016). "West Bengal to get grassroots eyes & ears". The Times of India 03.07 AM IST. pp. Kolkata News. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ↑ "West Bengal govt creates new directorate of Special Task Force". Financial Express 9 Sep 2019, 11:51 PM IST. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019. Alt URL[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Ghosh, Dwaipayan (6 July 2022). "West Bengal STF to get full-fledged police station soon". The Times of India 21:15 IST. Kolkata. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ↑ "SVSPA: The Seedbed Where Future Cops Grow". theprotector.in. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ↑ "Police Ranks" (PDF). Maharashtra Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Governance of Kerala Police". Kerala Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Police Ranks and Badges". Odisha Police. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Police Ranks" (PDF). Maharashtra Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Governance of Kerala Police". Kerala Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Police Ranks and Badges". Odisha Police. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 "WEST BENGAL POLICE GAZETTE" (PDF). www.policewb.gov.in. West Bengal Police Authority. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ The Times of India (6 August 2016). "Excalibur muscle for Bengal police". timesofindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ↑ NYOOOZ (6 August 2016). "Excalibur muscle for Bengal police". nyoooz.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
External links[edit | edit source]
- List of all West Bengal police stations from the West Bengal govt's official site
- Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal
Template:Law enforcement agencies of India
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