In 1912, Delhi's first Chief Commissioner was selected and handed over with the duties and responsibilities of Inspector General of Police. Then Delhi district was administered by Deputy Inspector General of police. It was controlled by Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent.
In 1946, Delhi police was restructured with the appointment of Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General and Superintendents.
In 1966, the Delhi Police Commission was formed which instituted Police Commissioner System on 1st July, 1978. As of now, Delhi Police is the biggest metropolitan police in the world with 123 stations with its headquarter at Indraprastha Estate. Delhi Police is composed of the following personnels:
- 3 Special Commissioners
- 17 Joint Commissioners
- 7 Additional Commissioners
- 74 Deputy Commissioners
- 272 ACPs
Dr. KK Paul, the Chief of Police said that the Delhi police is working dedicatedly for the security of the people as crime is increasing day by day because of a large number of mixed population emigrating in Delhi for various purposes like education, business, jobs. It is the capital of India and is the center of wide range of political, cultural, social and economic activities. The Delhi police has to play a number of roles so far maintenance of law and order is concerned. The Delhi Police is undertaking the following activities:
- Investigating crimes
- Controlling criminal activities
- Protection of women
- Control traffic problem
Delhi Police is considered to be having the most advanced administrative system in India. It believes in the principle of 'Citizen First'. Traffic control is very important in order to avoid accidents and in this field Delhi police is taking strong measures to assure safety to the people.
The first ever woman Kiran Bedi who joined IPS (Indian Police Service), 1972, is likely to become the next Police Commisssoner of Delhi as per informants.
Delhi Police is divided into twelve branches under the Commissioner of Police. The main four among the branches are:
- Special C.P Administration
- Special C.P Training
- Special C.P Security and Armed Police
- Special C.P Intelligence
The Special C.P Administration has three Joint Commissioner of Police under him and two Additional C.P's. One of them is responsible for Headquarters. Every Joint C.P and Additional C.P has a DCP under him. The C.P responsible for Headquarters is in charge of Public Relations and has a Public Relation Officer (PRO) under him.
The Special C.P has a Deputy Commissioner of Police (D.C.P) answering to him. The Vice-Principal of Police Training College (P.T.C) answers to the D.C.P.
The Special C.P Security and Armed Police has three Joint C.P's working under him.Each of them has an Additional C.P under him. The Additional C.P gives orders to the C.P's of each Police Battalion
The Special C.P Intelligence has a Joint C.P and an Additional C.P working under him. The Additional C.P gives orders to an Additional C.P and to the F.R.R.O section. He is responsible for registration of foreigners in the Delhi Police region. The Additional C.P has a D.C.P working under him. There is an Additional D.C.P under the D.C.P.
The Commissioner of Police directly controls the Joint C.P who in turns control the D.C.P's of the North, South and East. The Joint C.P of N.D.D also controls the D.C.P STF and D.C.P Supreme Court.
Delhi police have got a list of Helpline numbers through which one can contact them without the need of going to the police station in person. The various Helpline numbers of Delhi Police are as follows:
- Police Control Room- 100
- Student or Senior Citizens Security Cell- 1291(toll-free)
- Matters related to vigilance- 23213355, 23210011
- Anti-corruption division- 23890018, 23890019
- Traffic problems- 23378888
- Women helpline- 1091
