More Commanders Than Constables: PAC Report Flags Manpower Imbalance In Delhi Police

Last Updated:August 06, 2025, 11:29 IST

The panel report stated that while there is a 4 per cent surplus at the headquarters, there is a 35 per cent shortage at police stations.

The panel expressed serious concern about the overburdening of ground-level staff in Delhi police. (Image: PTI File)

The desire of senior officers to remain posted in Delhi for extended periods may have distorted the organisational structure of the Delhi Police — creating a significant imbalance between top-level positions at the headquarters and ground-level staffing at police stations.

A Public Accounts Committee on Manpower and Logistics Management In Delhi Police has revealed a stark manpower mismatch: while there is a 4 per cent surplus at the headquarters, there is a 35 per cent shortage at police stations. The finding implies a disproportionate ratio of commanders to field personnel.

“In regard to the manpower deployment in Delhi Police, the Committee learnt that there exists four per cent excess manpower at headquarters and a concerning 35 per cent shortage at police stations in the audited districts," the Committee stated in its report.

The panel expressed serious concern about the overburdening of ground-level staff. “In the opinion of the Committee, the evident strain on police personnel, working well beyond the prescribed daily hours, underscores the urgency of rectifying these imbalances. Addressing the acknowledged issues of newly created police stations functioning without sanctioned strength and the failure to revise police station strength after the separation of Law & Order from Investigation is imperative," the report said.

The Committee has called for an urgent reassessment of manpower allocation. “The Committee, in this regard, recommends that a prompt reassessment be undertaken to align manpower allocation with increased demands from initiatives like CCTNS, various desks, and specialized units. Failing to rectify these disparities not only compromises law enforcement effectiveness but also burdens police personnel unnecessarily. Immediate action with a well-defined strategy is essential for the overall improvement of policing in the selected districts," the report added.

Responding to the findings, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) attributed the shortages to recent structural expansions. “Formation of 02 Districts, 08 Sub-Divisions, 41 Police Stations (including 15 Cyber Police Stations) and 03 essential units has caused shortage in other Districts/Units, as these are running without any sanctioned manpower by drawing personnel from existing sources," the MHA said.

It also noted that while 12,518 new posts were sanctioned in 2018, only 5,527 have been released so far. The remaining 6,991 posts are still pending approval from the Ministry of Finance.

The MHA further informed that a comprehensive manpower audit is underway. “Regarding reassessment to align manpower allocation with increased demands from initiatives like CCTNS, various desks, and specialized units, the National Productivity Council has started a manpower audit of Delhi Police on 17.04.2023, which is expected to submit its audit report by mid of August 2024," the Ministry said.

Ankur Sharma

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...

Read More

Location :

First Published:

August 06, 2025, 11:29 IST

News india More Commanders Than Constables: PAC Report Flags Manpower Imbalance In Delhi Police

Read More