The Indian Imperial Police rank badges

The Indian Police Services belong to the Special Civil Service of India. India Act 13 of 1856 reformed the municipal police administration in the three Presidency capitals (Calcutta, Madras, Bombay). They were each placed under a Commissioner who was responsible directly to the Governor of the Province. India Act 5 of 1861 established a uniform system of police administration throughout British India with an Inspector General at the head of the police in each province.

The Superior Police Services, later known as the Indian (Imperial) Police, consisted of an Inspector General, Deputy Inspectors General, District Superintendents and Assistant District Superintendents. The Subordinate Police Service in each province consisted of Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Head Constables and Constables. The rank of Sergeant (equivalent to Head Constable) also existed but was mainly confined to Europeans or Eurasians who served in the City forces or in cantonments.

The Indian Police (Superior) Service in its earlier days included many European officers of the Indian Army. Before 1893 appointments to all senior grades (i.e. Assistant District Superintendent and above) were made locally in India. From 1893 most new entrants to the top échelon were appointed by examination or selection in the UK. In the lower branch, the Subordinate Services were mainly constituted of Indians with some Europeans and Eurasians in the higher ranks. The Indian Police structure was again changed in 1905 when the rank of Deputy Superintendent with four grades was created within the subordinate services. The term 'Provincial Service' was used to refer to these four grades.