DARJEELING POLICE

Over the years

                Darjeeling police force was established on 27^th November, 1839 when the Government of Bengal sanctioned a small police established of 1 writer at twenty Rupees a month and 4 chuprassies at Rupees five each.

            In 1840-41 the force was increased to 2 officers (ASIs) and 12 footmen (Constables).

            In 1853 there were 3 Darogas (SIs), 10 Jemadars (ASIs), 8 Duffadars (H.Cs) and 95 Constables. There were 3 Police stations Sadar, Khoribari, and Phansidewa each under a Daroga and 12 chowkies or Patrol Posts under Jemadars or moburrirs.

            In the old Darjeeling district Gazetteer, published in 1907, O’Malley had stated that in 1905 the police department consisted of a District Superintendent of Police, 5 Inspectors, 24 Sub-Inspectors, 2 Sergeants, 49 Head Constables and 351 Constables. The district was divided in 4 Police Circles viz. Darjeeling, Jorebunglow, Kurseong and Siliguri with 4 Police Stations, 8 Out Posts (O.Ps) and 14 Patrol Posts (.Ps). Owing to mountainous nature of the terrain and difficulties of communications, the force was proportionately stronger than the other parts of the province (state).

            The present police setup is headed by a Superintendent of Police, assisted by 3 Additional S.Ps., 6 Dy. Superintendent of Police, 1 Sub-divisional Police Officer, 22 Inspectors, 198 Sis and 5 Lady Sis, 199 ASIs and 1 Lady ASI, 2 JCOs, 88 H.Cs, 1223 Constables, 3 Head Police Driver, 80 Police Drivers and 29 Lady Constables in the unarmed branch, 1 Reserve Inspector of Police, 11 Armed Sis, 56 H.Cs, 33 Naiks, 591 Constables in the Armed Branch including 100 Special Task Force (STF) personnel raised recently for counter terrorist measures.