The hierarchy of Calcutta Police is headed by the Commissioner of Police, assisted by three Additional Commissioners, four Joint Commissioners and a few Deputy Commissioners.

For the enforcement of law and order, the city is divided into 5 divisions comprising 42 police stations. Each division is under the charge of a Deputy Commissioner. The various branches and departments of Calcutta Police are as follows :

(a) Detective Department - This is responsible for detection and prevention of crimes.
(b) Enforcement Branch - It keeps a check on offences by unscrupulous traders.
(c) Special Branch – This operates in matters concerning National Security, Communal Violence, VIP security etc.
(d) Security Control Organisation – This looks after registration of foreigners etc.
(e) Armed Police Battalions – This is for maintenance of law and order.
(f) Reserve Force – It is for guarding vital installations escorting prisoners etc.
(g) Wireless Branch – This takes care of communication links of the city police.
(h) Mobile outposts – These are meant for policing at men's doorsteps.

Mounted Police
The Mounted Police, a division of Calcutta Police, is a very colourful unit. They can be seen trotting along with precision, at ceremonial parades, presenting guard of honour to visiting foreign and state dignitaries. Patrolling the Maidan area of Calcutta is one of its regular duties. During major sports events in and around the Maidan, they keep a vigilant eye on the crowd movement. They are also found to escort certain processions.

Rapid Action Force
The Rapid Action Force is a special unit set up to handle difficult law and order situations in the city. The unit is trained to bring such situations under control with minimum use of force. The members of this outfit are kept on constant alert to be deployed at the shortest notice. They are trained in field work, emphasizing on physical fitness. There is also a women's contingent in RAF. They render their services in relief and rescue work.

River Traffic Police
The River Traffic Police, with its own fleet of launches and patrol boats, regularly patrol the river Ganga from Budge Budge in the south to Panihati in the North. Its duties include guarding the cargo ships anchored in the moorings and keeping a check on criminal activities in the river. It also keeps the navigational channel free so that the port is accessible to ships without any obstruction. The RTP launches regulate the movement of the boats and ferries in the river and prevent their overloading to avoid accidents. The RTP is also deployed during Durga Puja immersions.

Detective Department
In 1868, Sir Stuart Hogg, the then Commissioner of Police, introduced the Detective Department of Calcutta Police. The primary object of this esteemed unit is to detect and prevent serious crimes in the city for which it applies umpteen strategies effectively. The Detective Department has to detect innumerable spine-chilling murder mysteries and allied crimes. It plays an immense role in keeping check on crime and disorder in the city.

The Detective Department now comprises specialized wings viz. Robbery section/Homicide Squad/Watch Section/Burglary Section/Snatching Section/Missing Persons Squad/Anti-Fraud Section/Anti-cheating Section/Narcotics Cell/Immoral Traffic Section/Anti-Rowdy Section/Finger-Print Section/Criminal Record Section/Computer Section/Motor-Theft Squad/Bomb Disposal Squad etc.

The Detective Department is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police who is assisted by two other Deputy Commissioners and a few Assistant Commissioners of Police. Its official address is :

18, Lalbazar Street
Calcutta – 700 001
Phone – 221-5737

Dog Squad
The Dog Squad of Calcutta Police help the sleuths to trace the criminals. These dogs are specially trained to detect narcotics and explosive substances as well as prevent sabotages. They are trained in Police Training School.