Sub-Inspector

Sub-Inspector is a rank extensively used in the Indian Police, which primarily is based on the British model. A Sub Inspector generally is in command of a police station (with head constables eq. sergeants commanding police out posts). He is the first ranked officer who as per the Indian Police rules and regulations can file a charge sheet in court, and is the first investigating officer. Officers subordinate to him cannot file charge sheets but can only investigate cases on his behalf.

A Sub Inspector, most commonly known as S.I, ranks above a Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) and below an Inspector (who will be supervising more than one police station). In police stations having a large number of cases to handle extra ranks of Sub Inspectors would be created. The extra ranks are known as Additional Sub Inspector (Addl. S.I), and generally would be officers who have come up through the ranks. Sub Inspectors directly recruited into the police force (due to better educational qualifications) would be the primary authority and is referred to as Principal Sub Inspector.

Other specialised units like the Central Armed Reserve Police Force, State Armed Reserve Police and Armed Battalions have the same rank, but generally these officers don't have any investigative powers. Same holds for ranks like Sub Inspector (Band), Sub Inspector (Motor Transport) etc.

See Also: Police