Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Kolkata Police faces severe staff shortage as recruitment lags
Police officers help keep our cities safe, but the police force in Kolkata doesn't have enough officers right now.
They only have about one-third of the people they really need, so officers are stretched thin and tired.
The city has been adding more police stations, but it hasn't been hiring enough new officers to staff them.
Part of the problem is that some officers retire every month, leaving empty spots.
Hiring has also been slow because of legal problems in the past.
The police force says it can do its job better when it has the right number of officers.
The state now plans to hire 12,000 new police personnel before a big festival called Durga Puja and many more over time.
Some constables have already finished their training and are ready to start.
But even after hiring, it can take about five years for a new officer to become fully good at the job.
Until enough officers are hired and trained, the police have to do their best with fewer people.
Kolkata Police is operating with only about one-third of its required manpower, with staffing across its 80 stations significantly below optimal levels.
The number of police divisions and stations has increased, but recruitment has not kept pace, and a portion of the force retires every month.
An official said the hiring process was frequently stalled by legal complications during the previous Trinamool Congress regime.
It takes about five years for newly recruited officers and lower-level personnel to fully master the job, straining the system.
West Bengal police announced plans to recruit 12,000 personnel before Durga Puja and a phased recruitment of one lakh personnel statewide to fill 47,000 vacancies.
- Who
- Kolkata Police and state officials, including Suvendu Adhikari, who is described in the article with the title 'Chief Minister' (a role contradicted by the article's own reference to the 'previous Trinamool Congress regime').
- What
- Kolkata Police is facing a severe staff shortage because recruitment has not kept pace with expanding police stations and monthly retirements.
- When
- Current, with recruitment of 12,000 personnel promised before Durga Puja (the article cites a July 28 announcement).
- Where
- Kolkata and West Bengal, India.
- Why
- Recruitment has lagged behind the increase in police divisions and stations, was stalled by legal complications, and new personnel take about five years to reach full proficiency.
Critics of the current situation
Government perspective
Severity of the shortage
Critics of the current situation
Kolkata Police operates with only one-third of required manpower, staffing is significantly below optimal at all 80 stations, and shortages affect every station and department.
Government perspective
Recruitment of 12,000 personnel will be completed before Durga Puja, and 14,000 trained constables are ready to be deployed, addressing the shortage.
Responsibility for slow hiring
Critics of the current situation
The hiring process was frequently stalled by legal complications during the previous Trinamool Congress regime, causing the backlog.
Government perspective
The state has resolved issues regarding OBC quotas and is now recruiting one lakh personnel in phases to fill 47,000 vacancies.
Effectiveness of the current force
Critics of the current situation
Lack of manpower and technical proficiency causes errors, wastes time, and hinders delivery of policing services.
Government perspective
Personnel complete official recruitment and training through official channels, and the state is expanding the force by following the example of Uttar Pradesh.
- Current manpower level
- About one-third of required strength
- Kolkata Police stations
- 80 stations, staffing significantly below optimum
- Recruitment target
- 12,000 personnel before Durga Puja
- State vacancies
- 47,000 vacancies; one lakh personnel to be recruited in phases
- Ready for deployment
- 14,000 constables completed training
- Training time
- About 5 years to fully master the job
- Comparison cited
- Uttar Pradesh has 200 police personnel per 100,000 people