Pakistan Police Ranks 2026: Complete List with Badges
The pakistan police ranks structure is organised in three broad tiers: superior (gazetted) police officers, upper subordinates and lower subordinates. Policing is a provincial subject in Pakistan, so each province fields its own force under an Inspector General of Police, but the rank names and badges are uniform nationwide. This guide lists every rank as of 15 October 2026 with BPS grades and equivalents.
Pakistan Police Ranks: Gazetted Officers
The senior tier of pakistan police ranks begins with the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP, BPS-17), the entry rank for officers of the Police Service of Pakistan. Above ASP sit the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP, BPS-17), the Superintendent of Police (SP, BPS-18), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP, BPS-19, also titled Assistant Inspector General), the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG, BPS-20), the Additional Inspector General of Police (Addl-IG, BPS-21) and finally the Inspector General of Police (IGP, BPS-22), who heads the provincial force.
Key field appointments in pakistan police ranks include the Station House Officer (SHO, usually an Inspector or Sub-Inspector), the District Police Officer (DPO, usually an SP or SSP), the City Police Officer (CPO), the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and the Regional Police Officer (RPO, usually a DIG). The Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) heads traffic police in major cities.
Upper and Lower Subordinate Ranks
The middle tier of pakistan police ranks comprises the Inspector (BPS-16), Sub-Inspector (BPS-14) and Assistant Sub-Inspector (BPS-11). The lower tier comprises the Head Constable (BPS-9) and the Constable (BPS-7), the backbone of daily policing, foot patrols and response duties. In Punjab Police the rank of Naik also exists between Head Constable and Constable.
Insignia follow the British tradition: senior officers wear stars, pips and crossed sword-and-baton devices with the national emblem, while Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors wear stars on shoulder straps and constables wear chevrons. This badge system makes pakistan police ranks instantly recognisable on uniform.
How Police Ranks Compare with Army Ranks
By BPS grade, pakistan police ranks line up with civil and military scales. An IGP (BPS-22) equals a Lieutenant General in the army; a DIG (BPS-20) equals a Major General; an SSP (BPS-19) equals a Brigadier; an SP (BPS-18) equals a Colonel; an ASP or DSP (BPS-17) equals a Captain. ASPs are recruited through the Central Superior Services examination, while DSPs may be promoted from the Inspector ranks. For military comparisons see our guides to Pakistan Army ranks and Pakistan Air Force ranks.
Joining the Police in Pakistan
Aspirants enter pakistan police ranks at several levels: as Constables through district recruitment, as Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors through public service commission examinations, and as ASPs through the CSS examination conducted by the FPSC. Physical standards, written tests and interviews apply at each level. Constable recruitment typically requires matriculation, while SI and ASI posts demand higher academic qualifications. Training takes place at police training colleges, where recruits learn law, investigation, drill and weapon handling before their first posting. Age limits, height and chest requirements vary by post, so candidates should read the official advertisement carefully before applying. District-level quotas apply to constable recruitment in most provinces, and written tests for SI and ASI posts are conducted by the provincial public service commissions. Our PPSC guide covers provincial recruitment examinations relevant to police hiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ranks are there in Pakistan police?
There are 7 gazetted officer ranks from ASP to IGP, 3 upper subordinate ranks (Inspector, Sub-Inspector, ASI) and 2 lower subordinate ranks (Head Constable, Constable).
What is the highest rank in Pakistan police?
The Inspector General of Police (IGP, BPS-22) is the highest rank, heading the provincial police force.
What is the difference between DSP and ASP?
Both are BPS-17. ASPs are direct CSS recruits of the Police Service of Pakistan, while DSPs are generally promoted from the Inspector ranks.
What does SHO mean in Pakistan police?
SHO stands for Station House Officer, the officer in charge of a police station, usually holding the rank of Inspector or Sub-Inspector.
What is the salary grade of a Constable?
A Constable is BPS-7, a Head Constable is BPS-9 and an ASI is BPS-11 in the standard police pay structure.
Sources: Police ranks in Asia including Pakistan, Ranks in the police force of Pakistan.
Complete Reference: Pakistan Police Ranks
Pakistan police ranks follow a structured hierarchy from Constable to Inspector General. The pakistan police ranks and badges system uses chevrons, pips and national emblems to denote grade.
What is the Punjab Police ranks list?
The punjab police ranks list runs: Constable, Head Constable, ASI, Sub-Inspector, Inspector, DSP, SP, SSP, DIG, Addl. IG and IG. Each province mirrors this structure with minor variations.
What are police officer grades?
Police officer grades pakistan map to civil service scales: PSP officers enter at BPS-17 (ASP) and can rise to BPS-22 (IG). Subordinate ranks progress through departmental promotions and exams.
How can I join the police?
How to join police pakistan: constables are recruited through district police tests, ASIs and Sub-Inspectors through public service commissions, and PSP officers through the CSS exam.
What do the badges look like?
Pakistan police ranks and badges insignia are worn on shoulders and collars — learning them helps citizens identify whom they are dealing with at any police interaction.
PSP vs subordinate entry
Pakistan police ranks have two entry streams: CSS-qualified PSP officers start as ASP, while constables rise through the ranks. Both Pakistan police ranks paths can reach senior positions with dedication.
Women in police
Growing numbers of women join Pakistan police ranks at all levels, with dedicated recruitment drives. Their presence strengthens how to join police pakistan outreach to female citizens.
Training overview
All Pakistan police ranks entrants complete training at police colleges. The punjab police ranks list training pipeline is among the country’s most established.
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