Assam Cabinet Renames District SPs to Senior Superintendents for Clearer Police Hierarchy
In a move aimed at streamlining the police hierarchy, the Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved a key change in the designation of district-level police officers. The decision was taken during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting held on Wednesday, June 5.
Under the new decision, the current title of “Co-District Superintendent of Police (CDSP)”—used for officers posted in co-districts—will be replaced with the designation “Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).” The government stated that the previous title appeared more senior in nomenclature, even though SPs held a higher rank, leading to confusion in the rank structure.
To ensure clarity and consistency, all district SPs will now be designated as Senior Superintendent of Police. Along with the title change, the shoulder badge for SSPs will now feature two stars and the Ashoka Stambha, reinforcing the new structure visually and symbolically.
The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to bring uniformity and better coordination within the Assam Police force.
This decision follows a major police reshuffle announced by the Assam government in May, as part of its expanding co-district governance model. In this reshuffle, 39 officers from the Assam Police Service (APS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) were transferred or newly appointed as SPs in various districts—signaling a significant generational change in police leadership across the state.
