Special Armed Police

Special Armed Police (Pradeshik) consists of 250 to 700 persons who act as a mobile armed reserve maintained at key locations in some states and actived only on the orders from the deputy inspector general or higher-level. Armed constabulary are usually not in contact with the public until they are assigned to VIP duty or assigned to maintain order during fairs, festivals, athletic events, elections, and natural disasters. They may also be sent to quell outbreaks of student or labor unrest, organized crime, and communal riots; to maintain key guard posts; and to participate in antiterrorist operations. Depending on the type of assignment, the Provincial Armed Constabulary may carry only lathis or they may be equipped with infantry weapons.

Armed Police Battalions are formed to assist the local Police in emergency situations like communal clashes, General elections, Natural calamities and law and order problems. In case of emergency the force is also deployed outside the state.

Kerala

In Kerala these battalions had their origin even at the evolutionary stage of the Kerala Police. The Armed Police battalions comprise Malabar Special Police, Special Armed Police, Kerala Armed Police Battalions I to V and the State Rapid Action Force. The Inspector General of Police, Armed Police Battalion, is the controlling authority who is assisted by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Armed Police Battalion, and each Battalion is under the control of a Commandant in the rank of Superintendent of Police. Armed Police Battalions are the feeder Units for the District Armed Reserve. Thus the Armed Police Battalion is the single entry point for men recruited (as constables) into the Kerala Police.

Special Armed Police was formed in 1955 by the then Travancore-Cochin government with its Headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram. Besides the law and order duties in the southern range, the Special Armed Police personnel are being posted for guard duties of Raj Bhavan, Police Headquarters etc. For the welfare of the Armed Police personnel, the S.A.P is having the facility of a canteen, a Gymnasium, a Hospital and a Nursery School. At present this Battalion is having a strength of 7 Companies

ee also

*Indian Paramilitary Forces

External links

[http://www.keralapolicehistory.com more information about Armed Police Battalions in Kerala]