Sub-Inspector

Sub-Inspector is a rank used extensively in the Indian Police, which is primarily based on the British model. It was formerly used in most British colonial police forces and in certain British police forces as well. The rank usually was in charge of a police substation or assisted an Inspector.

United Kingdom

The rank of Sub-Inspector was introduced into the Metropolitan Police in the late 19th century. It did not last long, being effectively replaced by Station Sergeant in 1890. Officers who already held the rank retained it, and were promoted to Inspector as soon as a vacancy arose.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sub-Inspector was introduced into the RCMP from 1942-1960 with the insignia of one star, similar to an Army Second Lieutenant. [p.37 Ross, David & May Robin "The Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1873-1987" 1988 Osprey Publishing]

India

A Sub-Inspector (SI) is generally in command of a police station (with Head Constables, the equivalent of Sergeants, commanding police outposts). He is the lowest ranked officer who under Indian Police rules and regulations can file a charge sheet in court, and is usually the first investigating officer. Officers subordinate to him cannot file charge sheets, but can only investigate cases on his behalf.

A Sub-Inspector ranks above an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and below an Inspector (who usually supervises a group of police stations). Most Sub-Inspectors are directly recruited into the police and have better educational qualifications than lower-ranking police officers. In busy police stations there are also Additional Sub-Inspectors (Addl. SI), who are generally officers who have come up through the ranks. In this case, the directly recruited Sub-Inspector in charge is referred to as the Principal Sub-Inspector.

Specialised units such as the Central Armed Reserve Police Force, State Armed Reserve Police and Armed Battalions use the same rank, but generally these officers do not have any investigative powers. There are also specialist non-investigative officers in the Indian Police Service, such as Sub-Inspector (Band) and Sub-Inspector (Motor Transport).

The rank insignia for a Sub-Inspector is two (five point) stars, and a red and blue striped ribbon at the outer end of the shoulder straps. The Assistant Sub-Inspector will have one (five point) star, and a red and blue striped ribbon at the outer end of the shoulder straps. The rank insignia for Principal Sub-Inspector and Additional Sub-Inspector are one and the same.

Romania

In the Romanian Police, Subinspector is the lowest commissioned rank, below "Inspector", and corresponds to the former rank of Police Second Lieutenant ("see Romanian Police Ranks").

References