Railway Protection Force
The Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) is an Indian Central Armed Police Force charged with protecting the Indian Railways.The strength of RPF is about 65,000.
The duties of the Railway Protection Force include:
- To do all conducive means for the free movement of the railways.
- Protection and safeguarding of railway property.
- Protection and safeguarding of passenger, their belongings and passenger areas.
The origin of this force was 'Watch & Ward' and functioned under the administrative control of railway administration. Later on this force was renamed as Railway Protection Force and its members were provided with the power of arrest without warrant for the unlawful possession of railway property. The term railway property included only the properties owned by the railway administration. In due course of time, the definition for the term Railway Property was extended and it included the properties owned by, or in the charge of or entrusted with the railways. The offenders are booked under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 which is shortly known as RP(UP) Act 1966. Now the Railway Protection Force has a separate administrative system and functions under the general supervision of the Railway Administration
Rank structure[edit]
- Director General
- Additional Director General
- Chief Security Commissioner (Inspector-General; Additional Inspector-General; Deputy Inspector-General)
- Additional Chief Security *Commissioner
- Dy.
- Senior Divisional Security Commissioner / Dy Chief Security Commissioner
- Divisional Security Commissioner
- Assistant Security Commissioner [From this post above, selection is through UPSC.]
- Inspector
- Sub-Inspector (SI)
- Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI)
- Head Constable
- Constable(GD)
- Cook/sweeper
