DCP Full Form in Police and Salary: Rank, Hierarchy and Power

DCP Full Form in Police and Salary: Rank, Hierarchy and Power

The designationDCP Full Form in Police is Deputy commissioner, identifying a significant administrative position within India’s police force. This senior official typically serves in police commissionerates, which are policing systems established in many of India’s larger cities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of theDeputy Commissioner of Policerole, exploring aspects from their posting and seniority to their rank and responsibilities.

The rank ofDeputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)represents a unique aspect of Indian policing within a police commissionerate, typically found in major urban centers across the country. While aCommissioner of Police, often a seniorIndian Police Serviceofficial, heads the city’s police force, the position ofDCPis the same as that of theSenior Superintendent of Policein the state police. In the established rank order, theDCPis placed aboveAddl Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl.DCP)and belowAdditional Commissioner of Police (Addl.CP).

Particulars Highlights

What are Commissionerates?

Many adjoining districts together form aPolice Commissionerate. True Commissionerates are those located inNew Delhi,Chennai,Madurai,Coimbatore, andKolkatabecause they hold the authority of both theDistrict Magistrateand theExecutive Magistrate. The police commissionerates have different organizational frameworks depending on the state. For example, thePolice CommissionersofDelhi,Mumbai, andKolkataanswer directly to the state government rather than theDirector General of Police (DGP). TheCommissioner of PoliceinKeralaalso lacks magisterial authority. The oldest police commissionerate in India is theHyderabad City Policecommissionerate, which was founded by theNizamsin the formerHyderabad Statein1847 AD. In1856, theBritish Indian administrationfirst introduced theCPsystem toKolkataandChennai, followed byMumbaiin1864.

DCP Rank and Hierarchy

It is important to note that each state follows a different system, depending upon the size of the city and other requirements. InDelhi, the following type ofPolice Commissioneratesystem is followed. Other cities may not have one or more of these posts, depending upon factors mentioned above.

Rank Details

Among the ranks of subordinate police officers in thePolice Commissioneratesystem, which is equivalent to a district police force led by aSenior SP/SP, arePolice inspector,sub-inspector,assistant sub-inspector,head constable, andconstable.

Organizational Structure

The structure is presented and bulleted below:

• ACommissioner of Police (CP)is the head of the police commissionerate. Depending on the approval granted by the relevant state government (or theGovernment of Indiain the case ofDelhi), anIPSofficer of the rank ofSPand above may hold the position ofCommissioner of Police.
• TheCommissioner of Policeis supported byspecial,joint,additional,deputy, andassistant commissioners of police, who are approved by the respective state government.
• The organization is made up of departments such assecurity,special branch,traffic police,armed reserve police,administration,offenses,law and order, and more.
• Police districts,divisions, andsub divisionsare responsible for upholding law and order. Generally,deputy commissioners of police (DCPs)oversee divisions, whileassistant commissioners of police (ACPs)oversee sub divisions.

Who Appoints the DCP?

The state government appoints theDCP. In the case ofDelhi, theDeputy Commissioneris appointed by theGovernment of India. The process generally begins with the home ministry, which issues a notification to invite applications from eligible candidates. The responsibility for selection of candidates is then sent to the state government, which appoints theDCP.

Powers and Responsibilities of a Deputy Commissioner of Police

TheDeputy Commissioner of Policeenjoys immense powers. He is a very senior officer of theIPS. He holds the accountability for reporting to theCommissioner of Police, who is the head of the police force in a city. The power of aDCPis presented below;

Types of Deputy Commissioner of Police in India

There are different types ofDeputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)roles in India. The set of responsibilities and duties vary for each type. Some well known types ofDCProles in India may encompass the following, as presented below:

Deputy Commissioner of Police Salary in India

The actual in-hand salary varies by state.IPSofficers who have done8–12 yearsof service are usually appointed asDCPs. In some states,State Police Serviceofficers may holdDCPrank with slightly different pay levels.

Particulars Highlights

Promotions for Deputy Commissioners of Police

Deputy Commissioners of Policeare promoted based on performance and administration handling abilities. ForIPS Officerswho are recruited throughCivil Services Examination (UPSC), the initial posting isAssistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). AnAssistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)can be promoted after6–8 yearsof service toSuperintendent of Police (SP)orDCPin Commissionerate cities. They can be further promoted as mentioned below:

• →Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
• →Inspector General (IG)
• →Additional DG
• →Director General (DGP)

ForState Police Service (SPS) Officers, who are recruited throughState PSC examsasDeputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), they can be promoted after10–15 years, becoming eligible for promotion toSP/DCP. Know: BPSC Salary and BPSC Full Form

Factors for Promotion

Factors for promotion include:

• Seniority and years of service
• Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs)
• Departmental Examinations (in some states)
• Availability of sanctioned posts
• Vigilance clearance and performance record

So, aDCPis generally anIPSofficer promoted after years of service. In some cities, senior state officers can also be posted asDCPsbefore or afterIPSinduction.

States and Union Territories without Police Commissionerate System

The following states and union territories in India do not have aPolice Commissionerate System. Hence,Deputy Commissioners of PoliceandCommissioners of Policeare not present in these regions.

States and Union Territories without Police Commissionerate System