Pramesh S Jain
Severe shortages of police inspectors have emerged as a major challenge to law and order management in the city.
Inspector posts have remained vacant for several days and even months in over 15 police stations across Bengaluru,police sources said.
Vacancies have arisen due to retirements,deputations, transfers,and delays in promotion processes,leaving several key police stations without permanent inspectors.
Police stations affected include Shivajinagar, Sampangiramanagar,Yeshwanthpur,Malleshwaram, Jnanabharathi,Bagalagunte,Viveknagar,Bandepalya, Sadashivanagar,D.J.Halli, Kothanur,and Jalahalli,among others.
In addition, inspector and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) posts are vacant in Magadi Road Traffic Police Station,Madivala Traffic Police Station,as well as in Sheshadripuram,Malleshwaram,and K.G.Halli subdivisions.
Instead of filling these vacancies,the government has assigned additional charge to inspectors from other police stations or is managing the situation through temporary arrangements.This has further aggravated the problem,sources said.
As a result,several inspectors are currently handling two police stations simultaneously,making it difficult to effectively supervise law enforcement and administrative duties.
The excessive workload has reportedly led to burnout and stress among officers.
The delay in the general transfer process for inspectors and ASPs has also contributed to growing dissatisfaction within the police department.
While the general transfer was earlier conducted annually,the rule was later amended to once every two years.
However,despite 2.4 years having elapsed,the general transfer process for inspectors and ASPs across Bengaluru and other districts has still not been completed.
Sources allege that repeated objections to the transfer list,along with political interference and attempts to protect favoured officers,have stalled the process.
This has led to frustration and unrest within the police department,affecting overall efficiency and morale.
