Maharashtra: ASI rank cops demand change in uniform

A policeman explains the insignia; (circled) ASI insignia

Police personnel serving as assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) in Maharashtra want a change in their uniform. They are demanding that brown shoes, a brown belt, and a circular beret cap be made a part of their uniform, like their counterparts in other states. Maharashtra Police has one of the largest police departments in the country, with a 229,962-strong force comprising 21,291 officers and 208,671 personnel. It has 104 units, including 12 commissionerates and various divisions like the Crime Investigation Department (CID), State Intelligence Department, Railway Police districts, SRPF Groups, Motor Transport Section, Training Institutions, etc. There are 1,165 police stations across the state, including Mumbai.

ASIs hold a non-gazetted position, ranking above a police head constable and below a sub-inspector. The rank insignia for an ASI is one star, with red and blue stripes at the outer edge of the shoulder straps. An ASI can be an investigating officer. Currently, there are 5,450 ASIs in Maharashtra Police, holding a Class-III rank.

Speaking with mid-day, an ASI stated that especially in rural areas, an ASI can register and investigate cases like other officers. "In Mumbai, an ASI is in charge of many more responsibilities, but there isn't much difference in the uniform as compared to that of the hawaldar and constable working under them, except for the star and red-blue stripes on their shoulder. If officers are entrusted with responsibilities, their uniform should reflect their status accordingly," he said. Unlike other states, there is no direct recruitment of ASIs in the Maharashtra Police. They reach this rank after promotion from constable.

Consequently, newly recruited PSIs may have less experience than ASIs. ASIs believe that if they are provided with the appropriate uniform, their seniors will also respect and honour them accordingly. Earlier, lower-level police personnel were categorised based on their years of service - constables with one to 10 years, hawaldars with 11 to 20 years, and those with 21 to 30 years were designated as ASIs. However, this changed in 2022, when the then police commissioner Sanjay Pandey eliminated the position of police naik for the three aforementioned categories.

Previously, upon retirement, ASIs were promoted to the grade level of a soldier and were entitled to wear the police sub-inspector (PSI) uniform. While this practice was initially implemented, it has gradually diminished over time. Currently, there is inconsistency across regions regarding the application of this policy, as some areas are not adhering to the 10, 20, and 30-year service standards. Many individuals with 22-23 years of service have not been promoted to ASI rank nor receive the appropriate recognition and attire upon retirement. As a result, ASIs are now retiring in the uniform of a hawaldar, with only the star and red-blue stripes distinguishing them. "Our demand is straightforward. We want the dress code as ASIs in other states. This addition would not only ensure that ASIs feel respected while on duty but also eliminate the need for symbolic gestures such as a ‘Sainik PSI' wearing the PSI uniform upon retirement," said another ASI to mid-day.

Discussing this matter with senior officers ranging from PSIs to ACPs, a mixed perspective emerged. Most officers said that an ASI who has served in the department for over 30 years deserves respect for their tenure and experience, and providing the appropriate dress code is essential. They believed that the ASIs should be provided with attire similar to other officers as a form of recognition for their service.
However, some officers asserted that as per departmental protocol, every junior officer is expected to respect their senior counterparts respect is already being accorded.

"During my tenure as DG, I received a request from the SRPF regarding their uniform lanyard colour. They had requested that their black lanyard be changed to brown to differentiate it from the Home Guard's uniform, which also featured a black lanyard. We fulfilled this demand and changed the colour of the lanyard to brown," said Sanjay Pandey, former Mumbai commissioner of police and Maharashtra director general of police.

According to Pandey, during his tenure, there was a provision implemented where an ASI could be promoted to PSI rank after three years of service. "However, there was never a demand to change the colour of the shoes, belt, and cap in the uniform." Joint Commissioner (Admin), Mumbai police, S Jayakumar told mid-day that the matter would be discussed further.

5,450
No of ASIs in Maharashtra Police