Organisation, function & duties of West Bengal Police
Aims and Objectives of the Organisation: The aims and objectives of West Bengal Police is to apply the law
fairly and firmly in order to prevent and detect crime, and bring to justice those who break the law. The West
Bengal Police strives to keep the State peaceful to help, to protect people through active cooperation of the
community.
2) Mission /Vision: The mission of West Bengal Police is to enforce the law and to bring the attitudinal
change for greater Police Public harmony and thereby achieve greater efficiency in its primary objective of
prevention of crime and detection of crime. Police must be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting
without fear or favour or prejudice to rights of others.
3) Brief History and Background : Modern Policing began in India with the attempt of changing
Feudal system of policing in vogue during the Mughal period by Warren Hasting in 1774. However, under the
East India Company the scope of policing was limited because their right to collect revenue was not
corresponded by the obligation to provide safety and security to the people. Lord Cornwallis tried to remedy
this shortcoming by abolishing the old Fouzdary system and concentrate the powers of maintaining law and
order in the hands of the company’s servants by the Regulation XXII of 1793. This regulation provided that
each district was to be divided into ‘thanas’ under the charge of a ‘Daroga’ who would be appointed by the
Magistrate of the district. The powers of arrest were bestowed upon the Darogas. This system of policing was
however improved by Lord Moira on the recommendations of the Select Committee appointed by the House of
Commons in 1808. recommendations of Frederick Holiday, (1854-89), Torture Commission Report, 1855 and
Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 forced the Biritsh Govt. to appoint a Commission to reorganize the Police force. On the
recommendations of the commission, Legislative Council enacted Act V of 1861. This formed the basis of the
modern policing in Bengal and in India. The framework provided by Act still remains the main platform on
which Police administration of West Bengal stands.
4) Structure of the department : The headquarters of the West Bengal Police is located at
Writers’ Buildings, Kolkata. The West Bengal Police is headed by the Director General and Inspector General
of Police, who is an IPS office. There are three other officers of the rank of Director General and Inspector
General of Police, 20 officers of the rank of Addl. Director General & Inspector General of Police, 30 officer
of the rank of Inspector General of Police and 45 officers of the rank of Dy. Inspector General of Police, 81
officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police, 55 officers of the rank of Addl. Superintendent of Police and a
very large number of other Police officers / men.
5) Jurisdiction: West Bengal Police has been spread over 23 districts including 4 Govt. Railway Police Unit
and 5 Commissionerates. There are also, 8 Ranges and 3 Zones for the purpose of rendering Police service
throughout the state. The region is headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police; the range by
an officer of the rank of Dy. Inspector General of Police.
The Commissionerates are headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General / Dy. Inspector General of
Police.
I) (a) Districts: There are 23 districts in the State of West Bengal to overall supervision of Police Stations /
Police force in the district rests on the respective Superintendents of Police. Prevention and detection of crime
and also maintenance of law and order are important functions of the Police. The officer in-charge of the Police
station has the duty to supervise the functioning of the Police station that is prevention and detection of crime
and maintenance of law and order within the jurisdiction of the Police station. The Superintendents of Police of
the districts supervises the functions of sub divisional Police officers, Circle Inspectors and officer-in charge of
the Police Stations and Police force under his control.
(b) Commissionerate: There are 5 Commissionerate in the state of West Bengal namely Bidhannagar Police
Commissionerate, Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, Howrah Police Commissionerate, Siliguri Police
Commissionerate and Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate. The Commissioner of Police exercises all
powers of an Executive Magistrate in relation to that metropolitan area. The overall supervision of Police
Stations / Police force in the Commissionerate rests on the respective Commissioner of Police. The officer incharge
of the Police station has the duty to supervise the functioning of the Police station including prevention
and detection of crime, maintenance of law and order, traffic management etc within the jurisdiction of the
Police station. Commissioner of Police of the Commissionerate supervises the functions of its Divisional Police
officers, Circle Inspectors and officer-in charge of the Police Stations and Police force under his control.
The Commissioners / Superintendents of Police are also responsible for the following functions.
a) Registration of FIR and investigation of cases, arrest of accused, recovery of stolen property, submission of
report in the final form.
b) Depositing unclaimed property
c) Recording report regarding missing persons / children and tracing them
d) Granting permission for loud-speakers, rallies and functions
e) Providing security to Banks and other important facilities
f) Supervising serious cases taking initiative to develop better Police Public relation and encourage community
oriented policing
g) Organising meeting with associations, hearing personal grievances of public and taking remedial action,
organizing meeting at the Police Station level and also at the district level specially during the festival and
occasion where public cooperation is needed.
h) Coordination with other Government departments and also with the NGOs:
II) Criminal Investigation Department : CID of West Bengal Police functions with its headquarters at
Bhawani Bhavan, Alipore, Kolkata under the supervision of an IPS officer of the rank of Addl Director
General & Inspector General of Police. CID deals with specialized crimes of the following categories :
A) General crime
i) Anti-Robbery / Burglary & Theft Cell
ii) Anti Cheating & Fraud Cell
iii) Anti Motor theft Squad
iv) Homicide Cell
v) Narcotic Cell
vi) Railway / Highway Crime Cell
vii) Bomb-disposal Squad
viii) Missing Person Bureau
ix) Naxalite Cell
x) Womens’ grievance Cell
B) Economic Offence Wing :
a) Fraud, cheating Cell
Apart from the above specialized cells, CID also has the following specialized units:
i) Finger Print Bureau
ii) Questioned Document Examination Bureau
iii) Photo Section
iv) Computer Section
III) Traffic Police : The full-fledged State Traffic Police has been set up vide G.O. No. 1484/PL/PB dated
15.03.2000. The Traffic Police Wing of West Bengal Police (headed by an officer of the rank of Addl. Director
General & Inspector General of Police) oversees the traffic policing throughout the state. The wing is mainly
tasked with planning and implementation of traffic system throughout the state through the district
superintendents of Police. The Headquarters of Traffic Police is located at Bhawani Bhavan, Alipore, Kolkata.
IV) Intelligence Brach: Intelligence Branch of West Bengal Police has its office at 13 Lord Sinha
Road, Kolkata. It is responsible for the following assignments:
a) Collection, collation and dissemination of Intelligence
b) Verification of character and antecedents
c) Registration of Bangladesh Nationals and FRRO through its various officers at the district
(DIBs)
d) Passport verification through the various district offices (DIBs)
V) West Bengal Armed Police :
a) The West Bengal Police is comprised of 12 battalions of Armed Police, two India Reserve
Battalions, 3 battalions of eastern Frontier Rifles. The battalions are headed by an officer of the rank of
Superintendent of Police / Commandant. Armed Police Battalions provide the armed contingents to assist the
district Police as and when required. The Armed Police personnel are also trained to combat terrorism. There
are 3 companies of Rapid Action Force specially trained to combat and tackle the law and order problems as
and when it arises. Recently Government has sanctioned 3 Commando Coys for LWE areas and State striking
force battalion.
b) Police Band : There are 3 sanctioned bands in the West Bengal Police, one each at Police
Training College, EFR and SAP 1st Battalion. They are utilized during the ceremonial occasions and also
available for various functions organized by the state, also at various meetings organized by various
organizations. They may be utilized for any other occasion subject to the availability of the band and on
payment basis.
VI) Enforcement Branch : The West Bengal Police Enforcement Branch is headquartered at Bhawani
Bhavan, Alipore, Kolkata and is headed by an officer of the rank of Director General & Inspector General of
Police. There are District Enforcement Branches in all Districts, including Railway Districts. They acts as
subordinate offices of the Enforcement Branch, West Bengal under the supervisory control of the district S.P.
The Enforcement Branch was set up to enforce the various acts enacted to control the movement and trade of
items specified in various controlling Acts issued under Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
At present, the Enforcement Branch, deals with collection and dissemination of criminal intelligence
relating to : Hoarding, Black-Marketing and Smuggling of Food Grains and other Essential Commodities. It
also deals with crimes relating to
i) Essential Commodities Act, 1955
ii) Cinematography Act, 1957
iii) Indecent Representation of Woman (Prohibition) Act.
iv) Intellectual Properties Right: Copy Right Act, 1957, Trade marks Act, 1999, Patents, Designs etc.
v) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947(As amended in 1988)
vi) The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
vii) The Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998
viii) The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
ix) Cases under the relevant Sections of the I.P.C. relating to Criminal Breach of Trust, Criminal
Misappropriation especially of Govt. Funds and Cheating, other economic offences / WhiteCollar
Crimes.
The jurisdiction in respect of these offences will remain with both the Dist. Enforcement Branch
as well as Enforcement Branch. In addition to this E.B. / D.E.B. also conduct various enquiries entrusted
by the Police Directorate and other Govt. Agencies.
VII) Police Control Room : The West Bengal Police has its nerve centre at the Police Control Room
located at the Police Directorate, Writers’ Buildings, Kolkata. The Police control room functions 24 hours and
collects all information from all places of the State of West Bengal. All executive instructions are also
transmitted through the Police control room. The Police Control Room is equipped with modern
communication equipments including computers which are used for instant transmission of information
instructions vide e-mail.
All the District Police Control rooms and the Sub Divisional Control Rooms are equipped with the 100 Dial
system for the benefit of public.
VIII) Vigilance: An office of Dy. Inspector General of Police has been established to undertake departmental
proceedings and enquiry against Police officers indulging in corruption, negligence, and malpractices.
IX) Telecom : The West Bengal Police Telecommunication organization was established on17.04.1946
under one SP with 51 Wireless stations throughout Bengal. At present it is headed by and IPS Officer of the
rank of Addl Director General of Police all the Police establishments of West Bengal are connected through
VHF and HF communication. Apart from wireless communication all the Police stations have been connected
with computer network. The computer network also connects the Police stations with the district and state
headquarters.
X) State Crime Records Bureau: The State Crime Records Bureau, West Bengal was set up in the year
1987 with the following aims in view:
a) To supervise and coordinate the activities of the District Crime Records Bureaus in different district of
Kolkata Police.
b) Provide training facilities to the Police personnel of the state and Kolkata Police in computer usage.
c) To collect and process crime statistics for the State Police and Kolkata Police.
d) Coordination and maintain liaison with National Crime Records Bureau, New Delhi and other State
Crime Record Bureaus.
e) To implement the Crime Criminal tracking Network (CCTNS) which is a central scheme of MHA,
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
f) Regional Police Computer Training Centre (RPCTC) is situated at SCRB, WB. It provides
training to Police personnel of Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chattishgarh, Assam, Meghalaya,
Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Andaman & Nikobar Islands etc. on various
computer & IT related courses.
g) SCRB, WB has a Gradation Cell which is engaged in preparing gradation list for Police
personnel of the rank of Constables to Sub-Inspector of West Bengal Police.
h) SCRB, WB maintains Database on crime Statistics for various queries of different agencies.
i) SCRB, WB is the State Level implementing agency of the CCTNS Project.
j) SCRB, WB prepares the statement of CII (Crime in India) & ADSI (Accidental Death & Suicide
in India) for annual publications led by NCRB, New Delhi.
k) SCRB, WB maintains the State level databases of MVCS (for Stolen / Recovered motor vehicles),
TALASH (for missing persons, etc.)
At present the State Crime Records Bureau is headed by an IPS officer of the IPS rank of Director
General of Police.
XI) Training : The Swami Vivekananda State Police Academy, West Bengal, Barrackproe,
previously named as Police Training College, West Bengal, was set up on 11th April’1948 at
Barrackpore. Since its inception of this institution the Principal of the rank of Superintendent of
Police, was the head of the institution but later the post of the Principal was upgraded and an officer
in the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police was posted here as the head of the institution since
the year 1966. The post of Principal was abolished in the year 2005, vide Govt. Notification No. 158-
PS Cell/Vig-61/2003 dtd. 28.01.2005. The functions of this institutions are guided by rules framed
under Bengal Police Training Manual. 1936 and Rule no. 789 of Police Regulation Bengal, 1943.
There are some subsidiary Police Training Centre located throughout the state of West Bengal
of which two are permanent training centre viz. STC SAP 9th Bn., Sandhya, Krishnanagar, & STC 4th
Bn., Kasba, Raigunj, which are entrusted to conduct basic training of Recruit Constables under the
academic control of SVSPA, WB, Barrackpore.
Presently SVSPA, WB, Barrackpore is entrusted to conduct the following training courses:
A. Basic Training
SL No. Training Courses
1. Attachment Training of Proby IPS Officers
2. Basic Training of Proby Dy. SPs
3. Basic Training of Cadet SIs (UB) of West Bengal & Kolkata Police
4. Basic Training of Cadet SIs (AB) of West Bengal Police
5. Basic Training of Cadet Sergeants of Kolkata Police
6. Basic Training of Recruit Constables of West Bengal Police (Mal & Female)
7. Basic Training of Junior Recruit Constables of West Bengal Police (Mal & Female)
B. Pre-promotional Training
SL No. Training Courses
1. Pre-Promotional Training Course of SI (UB) for promotion to the rank of Inspr. (UB).
2. Pre-Promotional Training Course of SI (AB) for promotion to the rank of Inspr. (AB).
3. Pre-Promotional Training Course of ASI (UB) for promotion to the rank of SI (UB).
4. Pre-Promotional Training Course of ASI (AB) for promotion to the rank of SI (AB).
5. Pre-Promotional Training Course of Constables for promotion to the rank of ASI (UB)
6. Pre-Promotional Training Course of Constables for promotion to the rank of ASI (AB)
C. In-service Training
SL No. Training Courses
1. Police Station Management Course of ICs & OCs
2. BPR&D Sponsored Specialized training courses on Investigation and other professional
issues of Homicide/Murder Cases, Economic Crime, Cyber Crime Cases; Advanced
Technology in Forensic Science, and Scene of Crime Investigation.
3. BPR&D Sponsored Specialized training courses on Weapon and Tactics.
4. Riot Drill
5. Seminar & workshop on RTI Act, Juvenile Justice, Community Policing etc.
2. Sec. 4(1)(b)(xv) - Regarding Particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining
information, including hours of a library or reading room, if maintains for public use at SVSPA
WB.
Infrastructure for Academic Training:
1. Academic Building for cadet Sub-Inspectors and Sergeants (for 200 trainees)
2. Academic Building for Recruit Constables (for 500 trainees)
3. Academic Class Rooms for In-Service and Pre-Promotional trainees
4. Academic Class Rooms for trainee Dy. S.P. (for 30 trainees)
5. Air-Conditioned Auditorium (332 sitting capacity).
6. Air-Conditioned Seminar Hall (30 sitting capacity).
7. Centre for training on Computer Application.
8. Centre for Forensic studies for theoretical & practical training on Scientific Investigation of Crime,
9. Model Police Station for practical training on PS Management.
10. Police Museum.
11. Library having 13,00 books on various professional and non-professional issues (use of
books are restricted only for trainees and faculties.).
12. Telecom workshop for training on Tele -Communication.
Infrastructure for Physical Training
1. Parade Ground (Concrete ground 01 & Clay ground 02)
2. Riding School (27 number of horses are being utilized for training on horse riding)
3. Firing Range, Four lane firing simulator & six lane firing simulator.
4. Multi Gym.
5. Driving Training Simulator.
6. Artificial climbing wall for training on rock climbing.
7. Tactical training grounds.
Infrastructure for Accommodation of Trainees & Instructors.
1. Senior Officers Mess for Dy. SP & above.
2. Hostel for in-service trainees.
3. Cadets Hostel
4. Old Cadet Mess.
5. Recruit Constables Hostel.
6. Hostel for Lady Trainees.
7. Instructors’ Mess
All the indoor & outdoor training infrastructures are meant for Police training purposes only.
3. Training Affairs; Advisory Board
SVSPA, WB is guided by the authority of Training Branch, West Bengal. headed by DG &
IGP, Training, WB. It is located at Araksha Bhavan, Salt Lake City, Kolkata. The policy matters in
respect of all level of Police training are decided by the Board Control for Training &
Examination, which is constituted by the Police Directorate, West Bengal, Writers Buildings.
XII) Industrial Grievance Cell : The Industrial Grievance Cell of West Bengal Police is headed by an
officer of the rank of Dy. Inspector General of Police. The said cell is tasked with the responsibility of keeping
liaison with the various industries’ set up in the state with regard to regarding safety and security of the
industrial establishment sand also specific problems being faced by them in terms of law and order and crime,
which affects their smooth functioning. In view of the large scale investments in the various industrial and
commercial sectors, this cell will have important function to discharge in the coming days.
Please mind it - a DSP is initially DSP in Head Quarter,SDPO at Sub-Division, and ACP at commissionerate.
For details, see the attached file.