DSP Full Form: The rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is utilized by various police forces within the Commonwealth and was previously employed within the British Empire. Typically, this rank sits above Assistant Superintendent and below Superintendent. In the Indian Police Service, however, these ranks are not gazetted. Below are the ranks of DSP within the Indian Police Service.
Abbreviations for police departments have been in use for many years. Let’s delve into a concise history of the most commonly used police department acronyms. DSP in Police stands for Deputy Superintendent of Police, which is the highest rank within the Indian Police Service, assigned to oversee a police district.
What Does DSP Mean? | DSP Full Form
DSP Full Form is Deputy Superintendent of Police. DSP signifies the rank held by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, indicating their position rather than specific duties. They are called upon to exercise command and control during exigent circumstances, serving as the heads of police in the field, reporting to the Home Minister, Union Minister of State (Home), and Maharashtra Minister of State (Home). DSP is considered a junior rank, serving as an entry-level position in the police force, albeit senior to Sub-inspectors and inspectors. Recruits typically begin their career at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
DSP vs. ASP: Understanding the Difference
DSP, or Deputy Superintendent of Police, IPS, is a part-time post designed for individuals who do not qualify for promotion to Assistant Superintendent. Unlike ASP, DSP is a civilian post, and those holding this rank are referred to as ‘Deputy Superintendents of Police.’ In the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Assam Police, DSP is equivalent to the Senior Superintendent of Police. In the Punjab Police, DSP holds greater importance compared to the officer bearing the title of ‘Deputy Superintendent of Police.’ Additionally, DSP outranks Deputy Superintendents of Police in the Chandigarh Police, Delhi Police, Uttar Pradesh Police, and Karnataka Police. Notably, in the Maharashtra Police and Tamil Nadu Police, DSP is also known as ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police).
Understanding the Ranks of DSP
The Indian Police Service (IPS) consists of officers recruited as police officers. Current recruitment to the IPS is facilitated through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). As of 2018, there were 3850 available IPS posts, with only 2000 filled. Subsequent recruitment is anticipated in 2019, with 350 posts set to become vacant. IPS officers are entrusted with policing responsibilities across states, Union territories, and six provinces. The rank of DSP is the next level up from Sub-Inspector in terms of hierarchy for safeguarding the nation.
Conclusion | DSP Full Form
There exists a noticeable pay gap between the ranks of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), despite both being termed “senior.” This discrepancy is somewhat mitigated by legislation, bringing the salary gap closer to the minimum for a senior officer. Hence, this post aims to delineate the applicable pay scales for various police officer ranks and compare them with other professions in the country. Note: All figures in this post were sourced from PayScale and paysearcher.com, cross-referenced with ASP and DSP pay scales, purely for academic purposes.