Joining a New Place of Posting

Set the tone from Day 0

The actions you take before you even walk into the office define how your subordinates perceive you. Arrive prepared, ask sharp questions, and you will never have to fight for authority.

What to Do When You Get Your Order

Contact your CC/PA/Assistant immediately upon receiving your posting order and ask the units under you to collect and prepare the following for your review on Day 1. This sends a clear message that you mean business and will get down to work without wasting time.

District/Unit Overview

Organisation structure of the district/subdivision — units, stations, outposts
Sanctioned strength vs actual strength (officers and men)
Profiles of key officers — DSPs/SDPOs, CIs, SIs — postings history, reputation, any pending action

Geography & Ground Reality

Geography — terrain, forests, rivers, sensitive border areas
Demographics — caste, community, religious composition
Means of transport — road, rail, river; connectivity of remote areas
Areas with poor communication or network coverage

Crime Picture

Crime statistics for the past 3 years
- Format of crime statistics to be collected
- How to review crime statistics
List of important/sensational crimes from the past one year — investigation and trial status
Known criminal gangs, history-sheeters, rowdy-sheeters — current status
Pending warrants, proclaimed offenders, absconders

Law & Order

Planned events — major festivals, elections, VIP visits with historical sensitivities
Unplanned incidents from past year — riots, clashes, bandhs, agitations
Recurring communal, caste-based, or political flashpoints

Important Persons

Profiles of important persons — politicians (MPs, MLAs, local body), pressure groups, religious leaders, influential media persons
Persons known to approach or influence police — know who they are before they approach you

Personnel Matters

Pending departmental enquiries and disciplinary cases
Long-pending transfers, vacancies, promotions
Grievances and welfare issues

What to Do Immediately After Joining

1. Hold an Initial Meeting with All Officers

Call all officers together for a meeting within the first day or two. Use the information you collected beforehand to ask pointed questions — this immediately establishes that you have done your homework.

For SPs: Ask SDPOs to give brief presentations on their sub-divisions — crime picture, L&O issues, personnel strength
For SDPOs: Ask CIs to present their circle — pending cases, sensitive areas, manpower
This format puts you in control immediately and reveals how well your subordinates know their ground

2. Complete Your Call-Ons

Call-ons are protocol but also an opportunity to build relationships early. Complete them promptly.

If you are an SP:

Range IG/DIG
District Collector
District Judge

If you are an SDPO:

On call-ons

Keep call-ons brief and formal. The goal is introduction and goodwill — avoid making commitments or discussing sensitive matters at this stage.

3. Visit Your Jurisdiction Early

Do not wait for a formal inspection. Make informal visits to stations and outposts in the first two weeks.

Observe condition of lock-ups, malkhana, station diary
Get a feel for officer morale and ground realities
Identify your reliable, honest subordinates — do not assume based on who is most eager to brief you
Keep the information you collected handy with you.

4. Review Key Pending Matters

Pending files requiring early decision
Court cases with urgent police action required
High Court / Supreme Court matters
ATRs pending from previous inspection reports

A Note on the First Few Days

Observe before you act — do not make major decisions or transfers in the first week
Be accessible but not casual — set the right tone in how you interact with subordinates from Day 1
Be wary of early influencers — officers or locals who are overly eager to brief you often have their own agenda
Build your own picture — cross-check what you are told against the data you collected beforehand