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ACP Full Form: Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of an Assistant Commissioner of Police

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 11th November, 2024 , 7 min read

ACP Full Form

ACP stands for Assistant Commissioner of Police. The rank of ACP is considered one of the highest in the Indian Police Service. This post falls under both the center and the state categories. The ACP is in charge of all Commissionerate tasks as assigned by the Commissioner and is responsible for directing and supervising the police in his area.

ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) is a higher-ranking position within the police department. ACPs work in various departments, such as the sales department, the income department, and other police departments. The ranks of ACP and DACP are rather frequent in the police force, and both officers have three stars. An ACP officer's job in the police department is to keep the law in order and to prevent minor offenses. The ACP is in charge of the whole district's police force. A solid career may also be built as an ACP.

ACP Full Form

ACP is an abbreviation for Assistant Commissioner of Police. It is regarded as one of the highest levels in the IPS (Indian Police Service). The ACP is a police rank that is used all around the world. It is a rank that is also used in many countries in revenue administrations such as income tax, property tax, inland transportation, and customs. There are two possible paths to earning the grade-

  1. Either picked after clearing the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) assessment and interview; or
  2. Promoted after 15-20 years of service with state police systems. 

The ACP is one of the highest-ranking officers in the Indian Police Service, after the rank of Police Commissioner. The ACP is regarded as one of the most honorable posts, is held in high regard, and is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the department, including criminal and associated offenses. He is also responsible for providing positive feedback on departmental plans and decisions.

ACP Full Form: How to Become an ACP Officer?

The following steps should be followed to become an ACP officer-

  1. To become an ACP, one must sit for and pass the UPSC examinations administered by the Union Public Service Commission Board. 
  2. In this exam, one must select IPS. 
  3. Both IPS officers and DSPs are eligible for promotion to the rank of ACP. 
  4. After a good career of 10 to 15 years, state police officers can also become ACPs. 
  5. Candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or educational board to take this exam. 
  6. Aside from that, the candidate must be an Indian citizen and over the age of 21. 
  7. The maximum age restriction varies per category, such as General, SC, OBC, ST, and so on.

ACP Full Form: Eligibility Criteria

The following information gives details about the eligibility criteria for the ACP full form-

ACP Education Qualification

Before applying for any government or private employment, the candidate's eligibility, i.e., qualification, is checked. Similarly, in order to be considered for the position of ACP, one must have excellent qualifications. To become an ACP, the candidate must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized institution in India. Without this, if he/she has additional abilities, such as computer experience, one will be given precedence.

Attempts to become ACP Officer

The following table gives details about the number of attempts one can give-  

Group 

ACP Exam Limit  

General 

4 times 

OBC

7 times 

SC/ST

Unlimited Times 

Age-Limit Criteria for ACP

The following table gives details about the age limit criteria for ACP- 

Group 

Minimum Age 

Maximum Age 

General 

 

21 years 

32 years 

OBC

35 years 

SC/ST

37 years

ACP Full Form Physical Requirements

Both physical height and chest breadth are required. Men must be 168 cm tall and women must be 155 cm tall to be considered for the position of ACP in the police department. In the police department, the breadth of the chest is measured before and after the breath is taken twice, from which a fixed measurement is produced. Before inhalation, the breadth of the chest should be greater than 80 cm.

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ACP Full Form: Exam Pattern

A candidate may become an IPS by taking the UPSC test. When a candidate becomes an IPS, they will be promoted to ACP in a few years. In addition, by completing the test, one can become a member of the State Public Service Commission.

Preliminary Exam

Candidates who wish to become ACPs must first pass the preparatory examination. This exam has a total of 200 points. Candidates have two hours to complete each of the two General Studies question papers in this test.

Main Exam

Anyone who passes the preliminary test must take the main exam. Candidates must complete six question papers in the main exam. 300 marks are determined for the Indian language, 300 marks for the English language, 200 marks for the essay, 300 marks for general study, and two digits for an optional topic.

Interview

The applicant who has passed both the preliminary and main examinations is invited to the final staged examination (interview). Many questions are asked of the candidate during the interview by commission officials so that the candidate may properly analyze his or her eligibility. The interview is worth 250 points. The commission issues appointment letters to candidates who are successful in the interview.

ACP Full Form: Roles and Responsibilities

The following are some of the roles and responsibilities of the Assistant Commissioner of Police- 

  1. The tasks of the Indian Police Services are generally the roles of an ACP. 
  2. An ACP is responsible for maintaining law and order in his or her assigned region. 
  3. ACPs play a vital role in crime prevention. 
  4. Every police officer is responsible for preserving law and order in their given region.
  5. The department conducts everyday activities in police services, which are extremely regular. 
  6. It is an ACP's responsibility to perform such daily operations in a timely and prudent manner.
  7. There are also criminal and related crimes that an ACP must maintain and comply with.
  8. When the police department develops a new framework for tactics, an ACP must monitor those strategies and provide input on the new framework.
  9. There are always certain efforts done by the Police Department, and an ACP must research such projects carefully and offer input on whether or not they are worthwhile.
  10. In administration, there is always a higher post above every other post. 
  11. As a result, an ACP must also submit a report and other essential information to a superior authority. 
  12. So those were the primary responsibilities and obligations of the Assistant Commissioner of Police.

ACP Full Form: Salary in India

There is usually a distinct pay structure for ACPs in different states; however, the average income of an ACP in India is Rs. 17.4 lakh per year. The ACP wage package is quite good, and there are numerous government amenities accessible. The average salary of ACPs is Rs. 1.4 lakh per month. Without it, ACP receives a house, a car, a driver, and family amenities.

Read more about the IAS Full Form and Upcoming Government Exams in India.

ACP Full Form: Other Full Form Related to Police Force

The term DGP, DSP, SP, ASP, ACP are related to the police force. The full form of these terms are

DGP – Director General of Police: DGP  is the highest ranked position in the Indian state and Union Territory. State Police Chief, this is also the name given to DGP. With a 3-star rank, the selection of a DGP is done from the Indian Police Service. Cabinet appoints the DGP. Director General (DG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are some of the other central organizations where the DGP can be appointed. 

DSP – Deputy Superintendent of Police: Deputy superintendents are now state police officers who were either directly hired at that position or promoted from inspector.

SP – Superintendent of Police: The head of the police force of a district is the Superintendent of police in smaller districts.

ASP – Assistant Superintendent of Police: For all Indian Police Service (IPS) officials, the entry-level position is Assistant Superintendent of Police.

ACP – Assistant Commissioner of Police: The position of Assistant Commissioner of Police is open to senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officials.

ACP Full Form FAQs 
Q. Who is higher, DCP or ACP?
A. DCP is a higher post than ACP in the Indian Police Service. 
Q. What is ACP in salary?
A. ACP salary varies from state to state in India. However, on an average, ACP salary in India is Rs. 17.4 lakh per year. 
Q. What is the full form of ACP in?
A. Assistant Commissioner of Police  is the full form of ACP. 
Q. Who is more powerful, ACP or ASP?
A. When it comes to power, DGP has more power than any officer in Indian Police. 
Q. What is 2 star in police?
A. Sub-Inspector rank (SI) officers are given 2 star. 
Q. What is the 3 star in police?
A. Director General of Police (DGP) gets the 3 star. 
Q. What is the age limit for ACP?
A. You must be above 21 years and below 32 years if you wish to apply for UPSC Exam. 
Q. Who controls DGP?
A. The state government often appoints the DGP, who collaborates closely with other law enforcement organizations and public servants to preserve the rule of law and safeguard the rights of individuals. Head of the Indian States and Union Territories Police Force.

Conclusion

ACP is a higher rank in the Indian Police Forces, attained by passing the UPSC test or being promoted from DSP and various state police services. Also, when discussing the duties of an ACP, it is important to note that defending civilians from any transgression, crime, or conflict is a background obligation. The typical compensation of an ACP is also regarded as sufficient for the future, and it is a prominent and well-paying position. There is usually a distinct pay structure for ACPs in different states, however, the average income of an ACP in India is Rs. 17.4 lakh per year. An ACP also has administrative authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Assistant Commissioner of Police a police officer?

Ans. ACP is a key position in the Police Department, serving at both the central and state levels. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, abbreviated as ACP, is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Police Service.

What is the full form of ACP?

Ans. The acronym ACP stands for Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Which rank is greater, ACP or DCP?

Ans. The DCP ranks higher. The position of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) is equivalent to that of Superintendent of Police (SP). As a result, the DC/DCP ratio is larger than the ACP ratio.

Which rank is greater, ACP or SP?

Ans. The Superintendent of Police is a higher-ranking official. SP is the system’s equivalent of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Police. While an IPS officer is always the SP, a State Police Service (SPS) officer might be the ACP. The SP value exceeds the ACP value.

What is the minimum age for becoming an ACP?

Ans. The young student must be between the ages of 21 and 32 to become an ACP.

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