PANAJI
Even as hundreds of posts have been filled through recruitment processes in recent years, the police force continues to face a manpower crunch with nearly 14 per cent of its sanctioned positions vacant.
With a total sanctioned strength of 7,791 personnel, the current operational force stands at just 6,887. The direct recruitment and promotion bottleneck within the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) ranks has remained unresolved and the result is that so far, of the 42 sanctioned DySP positions only 26 are currently filled.
It is reliably learnt that Goa Police sent a proposal to the government requesting the promotion of a few DySPs.
However, additional vacancies, currently diverted to the promotion quota remain in limbo as the government is uncertain whether it should be reverted to direct recruitment.
The shortage of Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs), a crucial rank responsible for investigations, has also come to the fore. As per official data, against a sanctioned strength of 514, the current strength stands at a dismal 331.
Even among female PSIs, only 68 serve against a sanctioned 100. A total of 215 PSI posts are vacant.
The Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) strength is marginally short with 557 against 567 sanctioned posts and head constables stand at 1,264 against a sanctioned 1,278.
The deficit extends to the lower ranks as well with police constables short of their sanctioned strength. Currently, 3,487 constables are serving against a sanctioned strength of 3,829.
A glaring concern has emerged in the wireless division, where no Police Inspector is currently serving despite two sanctioned positions. Moreover, many specialized units remain understaffed.
The Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), responsible for handling emergencies and reinforcement duties, also struggles with vacancies. Of the sanctioned 2,991 personnel, only 2,755 are currently serving.
The deficit is particularly severe in the Armed Police Wireless division, where just 13 constables serve against a sanctioned 78. The armed police unit is short of 100 constables while only 39 PSIs serve against the required 69.
