With the State set to roll out one of its major police administrative reforms in recent years on August 15, the force has commenced training sub-inspectors (SIs) who will take over as Station House Officers (SHOs) in a majority of police stations, replacing Inspectors who currently head them.

A five-day training programme for prospective SHOs in Ernakulam Rural police district concluded on Friday (July 24, 2026), while the Kochi City police have completed the first round of training for officers identified to lead stations under the new system, sources said.

The training programme covers police station management, crime investigation, time management, maintenance of law and order, and handling of special operations, including the State’s ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Operation Toofan’, officers associated with the programmes said.

Sessions were led by senior police officers, legal experts, forensic specialists, and technical professionals.

“The training is aimed at preparing SIs to handle a wider range of responsibilities as they assume charge of police stations. Key aspects of the training include handling day-to-day management of a station as well as hearing complainants properly. The prospective SHOs have been sensitised about the gravity of their responsibility as they will be answerable to not only higher officers but also to elected representatives, ministers, and the public while heading a station,” an SI who attended a training programme said.

The transition, meanwhile, is expected to present challenges for newly appointed SHOs, especially first-timers. “Stations were managed by SIs until 2017. So, there is no big deal about it. However, the initial days may pose some challenges to those without much administrative experience. However, they can manage the situations with guidance from senior officers and experienced colleagues,” an officer with the city police said.

The State government has announced that from August 15, SIs will head 414 of Kerala’s 478 police stations, while Inspectors will continue as SHOs in 64 stations that handle a higher volume of cases, mainly in urban areas. Inspectors will instead supervise multiple police stations under the revived circle system. The restructuring, according to the government, is intended to improve police administration and to make police stations more citizen-friendly.

Published - July 25, 2026 09:48 pm IST