Sub-inspectors (SIs) will be made station house officers (SHOs) of most of the police stations in the State from August 15, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced here on Saturday (July 11, 2026). Of the 478 police stations in the State, 414 will have SIs as SHOs while in 64 major stations inspectors will be retained in the post, the Minister said.

He was addressing reporters at the Ernakulam Press Club during the launch of a programme declaring mediapersons also as Toofan Warriors, the volunteers involved in the ongoing State-wide anti-drug operations.

Mr. Chennithala said the earlier system of SIs assuming charge of police stations was being reintroduced as part of a set of measures to revamp the police force. The decision to revert SHO duties from inspectors to sub-inspectors was taken based on the report by an expert committee, the Minister said.

“At present, inspectors are the SHOs in all 478 stations. From Aug 15, SIs will be the SHOs in all but 64 stations that are city-centric and record a higher number of cases. With this, a newly recruited SI can also head a station while the inspectors will have supervisory powers over 3-4 stations,” he said.

The Minister said that both the inspectors and SIs have been disappointed with the existing system. He said the officers concerned will be given proper training before implementing the new system.

People-friendly police

Mr. Chennithala said that the police will be made more people friendly. He said before August 15, all stations will be cleaned and repainted, if required. “Those who visit a station will have to be properly greeted and seating arrangements should be ensured for them,” he said.

He said a police audit will be conducted to check how many complaints have been received in a station and how many of them have been resolved promptly.