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Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP (Director General of Police)

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The difference between Commissioner of Police and DGP is that the Commissioner of Police post does not exist in all States. In contrast, the Director General of Police exists in all the States and Union Territories. In India, the police force performs the arduous task of preserving harmonious law and order in society. The Police, a component of the Executive, is a hierarchical institution headed by the Director General of Police (DGP).

Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP PDF

On the other hand, a Commissioner of Police heads a Commissionerate composed of a metropolitan city or a group of several districts. The Commissioner of Police reports to the DGP as it is posted at different ranks in major cities and districts of the country. A Commissioner can be a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Or an Inspector General of Police (IGP). The difference between Commissioner of Police and DGP is simplified in this article.

Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP

The Commissioner of Police and the Director General Police have the same rank in some places. For example, in Delhi, the Commissioner is the DGP. Also, in Mumbai, the Commissioner of Police is an officer of the DGP rank.

The difference between Commissioner of Police and DGP lies in the fact that the only state in India where the Commissioner (of Mumbai Police) does not report to the Director General Police, but both report to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department.

Commissioner vs DGP

Below, you will learn about the difference between Commissioner and DGP, along with a brief introduction to the Commissioner and Deputy General of Police.

Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP

Features

Commissioner of Police

Director General of Police [DGP]

Definition

The Commissioner of Police is the head of the Police Commissionerate, a metropolitan city or an amalgamation of several districts.

The DGP heads the entire police force of an Indian State or Union Territory of India.

Post

It is a post that may or may not exist in all the States and the Union Territories.

For example, Andhra Pradesh has a Commissioner, but Bihar does not.

It ranks in the police hierarchy in every state and the Union Territory.

Reporting to

The Commissioner reports to the DGP.

The Director General of Police reports to the Home Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department.

Position

Any officer above the rank of a Superintendent of Police (SP) can be a Commissioner.

For instance, the Commissioner of Police of Thrissur district of Kerala is an SP, while the Commissioner of Police of Delhi is a DGP.

The 3-star rank is the highest rank in the state police hierarchy.

However, you can find the DGP heading other institutions like the Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, Research and Analysis Wing, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, etc.

Commissioner of Police and DGP

The Commissioner of Police reports to the DGP, whereas DGP reports to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department or Home Secretary. The power of DGP is to oversee and inspect the functioning of his or her unit and disciplinary power, while the Commissioner enjoys the extra magisterial authority.

Who is Commissioner of Police?

The Commissioner of Police heads the Commissionerate, an amalgamation of several districts or a single metropolitan city. The Commissioner of Police enjoys additional magisterial powers, generally enjoyed by the District Collector and District Magistrate.

  • The IPS officer holds the post after a series of promotions.
  • The British government established the first police Commissionerate in Calcutta (Kolkata) and Chennai in 1856, followed by Bombay (Mumbai) in 1864.

Who is Director General of Police or DGP?

The Director General of Police is the head of the whole police force of a State or a Union Territory in India. Appointed by the Cabinet, the Director-General of Police is a 3-star rank, equivalent to the Lieutenant General in the Indian Army.

  • The DGP full form is Director General Of Police.
  • The DGP is the highest police rank in India.
  • The Commissioner reports to the DGP.
  • The Commission can be appointed at the position of IGP, DIGP, or Additional DGP.
  • They can be experienced police officers or might be elected or appointed as police officers.
  • He is the designated organization’s head.
  • On the other hand, the DGP can be appointed as the officials in the Police Housing Society, Crime Investigation Department (CID), Director General of fireside forces and civil defense, Director General of Prisons, Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, etc.
  • This was the major difference between the Commissioner and the Director General of Police.

Conclusion:

Key Difference Between Commissioner of Police and DGP

The key difference between Commissioner of Police and DGP is that the Commissioner of Police enjoys additional magisterial powers. In comparison, the Director general of police (DGP) is the highest rank in police in a State or a Union Territory of India.

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