Maharashtra Police

Maharashtra Police (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र पोलिस, IAST: Mahārāṣṭra Pulīs Sēvā, formerly Bombay State Police) is the law enforcement agency responsible for the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is headed by Director General of Police and headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Police
Logo of the Maharashtra Police Department
Abbreviationम.पो.[1]
Mottoसद्रक्षणाय खलनिग्रहणाय (Sanskrit)
To protect Good and to destroy Evil
Agency overview
EmployeesSuperintendents of Police and Above: 277
Deputy Superintendents: 652
Police Inspectors: 3530
Assistant Police Inspectors: 4530
Sub Inspectors: 7601 [2]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMaharashtra, IN
Map of Maharashtra Police Department's jurisdiction
Size307,713 km2 (118,809 sq mi)
Population112,372,972 (2011)
Governing bodyGovernment of Maharashtra
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Child agency
  • Mumbai Police,PCMC Pune Police, Nagpur Police, Pune Police, Thane City Police, Navi Mumbai Police, Kolhapur City Police,[3] Nasik City Police, Yavatmal City Police ,Amravati City Police, Solapur City Police, Aurangabad City Police
Website
www.mahapolice.gov.in

It is one of the largest police departments in the country, having about 35 district police units in the state. The Maharashtra Police Department has a strength of nearly 1.95 lakh.[1] It also has 15,000 women in its force.[4]

History

During the 17th century (until 1655), the area of present-day Mumbai was under Portuguese control. The Portuguese formed a basic law enforcement structure in this area with the establishment of a Police outpost in 1661.[5]

The origins of the present day Mumbai police can be traced back to a militia organized by Gerald Aungier, the then Governor of Bombay in 1669. This Bhandari Militia was composed of around 500 men and was headquartered at Mahim, Sevree and Sion.[6] In 1672, the judicial overview of police decisions by courts was introduced, although none of the judges had any actual legal training.[7] The situation remained unchanged through the Maratha wars.[8] However, by 1682, policing remained stagnant. There was only one ensign for the whole Bhandari militia, and there were only three sergeants and two corporals.[5]

In 1936, the Sind Province Police was split from the Bombay Province Police. In 1947, it was renamed to Bombay State Police, following India's independence. After the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the Bombay State Police was divided into Gujarat Police, Mysore Police (later renamed Karnataka Police) and Maharashtra Police.

Police Station in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra Police Headquarters moved into what was known as the Royal Alfred Sailors' Home, in 1896. Construction began on the building in early 1872 and was finished four years later, in 1876. As its name suggests, it was made to accommodate 20 officers and 100 seamen. However, the building was actually conceived to commemorate the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1870. The Duke laid the Foundation stone during his visit.

The Maharashtra government acquired the building in 1928 to house the Bombay Legislative Council.The Police Department subsequently moved in after it was vacated.

Headquarters
Main article: Maharashtra Police Headquarters

The Maharashtra Police Headquarters are in a Grade I listed heritage building that was built between 1872 and 1876 and designed by Frederick William Stevens (who designed the Victoria Terminus). During the British Raj, it served as the Royal Alfred Sailors' Home, where sick European sailors were housed.

Insignia of Maharshtra Police (State Police)
Indian State Police Gazetted Officer Rank Insignia[9][10][11]
Insignia
Rank Additional Superintendent of Police Deputy Superintendent of Police
Abbreviation ASP/Addl. SP DSP/Dy. SP
  • Note: Gazetted officers belonging to Indian State Police Service(s) lie between ranks DSP and SP.
  • Officers usually undergo training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy are awarded IPS to attain Assistant SP rank (1 year of service) but this varies from state to state.
Indian State Police Non-Gazetted Officer Rank Insignia
Insignia No Insignia¹
Rank Inspector of Police Assistant Inspector of Police2 Sub-Inspector of Police Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Police Head Constable3 Senior Police Constable3 Police Constable
Abbreviation INS API SI ASI/HCP HC SC PC
  • ¹ Police Constable has no insignia except the khaki uniform.
  • 2This rank only exists in Maharashtra Police Service
  • 3Shoulder insignia for this rank is used by Maharashtra Police Service
  • Note: Colour pattern and size of chevron may vary according to the different rules of several distinct Indian State Police Services.

Special units

State Intelligence Department

The State Intelligence Department (SID) came into existence in 1905 as the Criminal Investigation Department (Intelligence Wing) and was renamed to its current name in 1981. It is headed by the Commissioner of Intelligence.

Maharashtra State Criminal Investigation Department

Maharashtra State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is a Crime Branch which was established in 1905 and is headquartered in Pune. It is headed by the Additional Director General of Police.

Anti-Terrorism Squad

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) unit was created by the Government of Maharashtra in 2004 for countering terrorism. It works in coordination with Central Agencies such as Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Quick Response Team

The Quick Response Team (QRT) was created to protect the coasts of Maharashtra. Since Mumbai is vulnerable to attacks from terrorists and underworld elements, there was a need for a highly trained, motivated, young, fit and fully equipped team to tackle such groups and to terminate hostage situations. This team responds in the shortest time, moves by fastest means, takes action to collect tactical information and neutralizes the threat. They rescue hostages, render assistance to Central forces and other State forces on Government duty. On the occasion of 30th Maharashtra Road Safety Week, Maharashtra Police launched "Cop for a Day" Program, this new initiative allows any citizen to be a part of the Maharashtra Police Force for 1 Day and be associated with different departments within Maharashtra Police[12]

Anti-Corruption Bureau

Anti Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra is an agency of Government of Maharashtra constituted to investigate offences of bribery and corruption falling within the purview of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in the state of Maharashtra.

Force One

Force One is an elite commando force, which is a specialised counter terrorism unit to guard the Mumbai metropolitan area, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, formed by Government of Maharashtra on the lines of National Security Guards (NSG), as a response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks and was commissioned two days before its first anniversary.

Highway Traffic Police

The Highway Traffic Police branch was created in 1993 to monitor operations on Indian roads and highways.

State Reserve Police Force

The State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) was created on 6 March 1948 as a Special Armed Police Force of the State of Maharashtra.

Other Departments
  • Training Directorate
  • Protection of Civil Rights Cell
  • Motor Transport Unit: This was established in 1948 to cater to the needs of mobility of Maharashtra Police.
  • State Police Wireless: Established before 1947
gollark: Wait, ten subscript fifteen?
gollark: Fallacy³
gollark: Fallacy fallacy fallacy!
gollark: Which politicians avoid like the plague.
gollark: "You're fine with us wiretapping a few people, right? So surely it's fine to spy on all internet use constantly?"

References
  1. "Workforce". Maharashtra Police. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  2. "Maharashtra Police cadre strength", Maharashtra Police
  3. "Kolhapur City Police Website".
  4. Nishikant, Karlikar (3 January 2014). "Supriya Sule mocks Delhi CM's no-beacon stance". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  5. Mumbai Police – History at the Mumbai Police Website
  6. "Maharashtra State Gazetteers – Greater Bombay District". Maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  7. Edwardes (1923), p 19
  8. Mumbai Police Force History on TIFR website.
  9. "Police Ranks" (PDF). Maharashtra Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. "Governance of Kerala Police". Kerala Police. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  11. "Police Ranks and Badges". Odisha Police. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  12. http://www.copforaday.com/
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