Karnataka will move to fill 7,925 vacant police posts and establish a permanent recruitment board to streamline future hiring, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said at a Police Commemoration Day event in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
The announcement comes as the state police department manages staffing demands linked to population growth, rising vehicle numbers and expanding urban security responsibilities. Shivakumar said 5,911 police posts had been filled during the past three years and that the remaining vacancies would be filled soon.
Speaking at the Armed Reserve Force headquarters ground, the Chief Minister said the proposed permanent recruitment board would make the police recruitment process smoother. The announcement did not specify the timeline for establishing the board, the recruitment calendar for the 7,925 vacancies or the distribution of posts across ranks and districts.
The government is also prioritising modernisation of the police department. Shivakumar said technology was being used in crime investigation, preservation of evidence and crime control, and that approximately ₹142 crore had been provided to help police personnel become more technology-enabled.
The staffing announcement is particularly significant for Bengaluru, where the government cited a population of approximately 1.40 crore and around 1.31 crore vehicles. Shivakumar said the city’s limited road network made traffic management difficult and described the growing population and vehicle density as a major challenge for the police. He praised personnel for working to keep traffic moving despite the pressure.
The government also said it was taking steps to improve police housing and working conditions. Under the Police Gruha-2025 programme, the state plans to focus on housing construction and other infrastructure development. Shivakumar said improving the quality of life of police families was among the government’s priorities, alongside providing better working environments for personnel.
The proposed infrastructure measures include construction of new police stations and other police buildings, supply of vehicles and broader upgrades to departmental facilities. The announcement did not provide project-wise costs, locations or completion schedules for these works.
The state is also planning changes to parts of the police uniform and equipment. A new whistle guard will reportedly be provided soon to lower-level police personnel in place of the metal whistle chain. The government recently distributed peak caps to police constables and head constables in place of the slouch hat. It has also decided to replace metal whistle chains and metal buttons because they reportedly rust quickly and damage uniforms.
Shivakumar said special programmes had been planned to control the spread of narcotic substances, preserve communal harmony and manage traffic. The government’s next steps are expected to include establishing the permanent recruitment board and initiating the process to fill the 7,925 vacancies.
