Tamil Nadu to add 29,108 police posts over five years, CM announces

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced on Thursday that the state will create 29,108 additional police posts in a phased manner over the next five years. The move, detailed during the Assembly discussion on demands for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services departments, is aimed at addressing manpower shortages in police stations across the state.

As part of the first phase, 10,000 personnel will be recruited this year, including 5,000 women. This initial intake is designed to raise the share of women in the Tamil Nadu Police from the current 22 percent to 30 percent. The state's existing police strength stands at 1,34,667.

To tackle specific challenges, the government has established two new special units: the Singapen Special Task Force, focused on preventing crimes against women and children, and an Anti-Drug Force to work towards a drug-free Tamil Nadu.

A new recognition scheme, the Special Award for Drug-Free Tamil Nadu Villages, will honour 50 villages annually that successfully eliminate the drug menace. Each selected village will receive a certificate and a special infrastructure grant of ₹10 lakh, with an annual allocation of ₹5 crore for the programme.

Modernisation of the force will receive ₹212 crore, enabling the adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced digital forensics, real-time monitoring systems, and modern communication and control centres.

The government also announced enhanced welfare measures. Families of police personnel who display extraordinary bravery and make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will receive ₹1 crore in compensation. The ex-gratia for personnel who die, suffer disabilities, or sustain injuries while on duty has been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.

Infrastructure upgrades include a multi-purpose indoor stadium and outdoor sports facilities at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Vandalur, Oonamancheri, at a cost of ₹23 crore. Additionally, condemned police vehicles will be replaced with new ones at a cost of ₹200 crore to ensure faster and more efficient public service.