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Section 13 of the Police Act, 1861: Additional Police Officers at the Cost of Individuals

Section 13 permits specified senior police authorities, on a justified application, to deploy additional police officers to maintain peace at a particular place. The applicant bears the cost, while the police remain under official command.

What does Section 13 provide?

The provision addresses requests for additional police deployment when an applicant demonstrates a need to maintain peace. It does not transfer control of the police to the applicant, and it does not create an automatic entitlement to a deployment.

Text of Section 13: Additional police-officer employed at cost of individuals

It shall be lawful for the Inspector-General of Police, or any Deputy Inspector-General, or Assistant Inspector-General, or for the District Superintendent, subject to the general direction of the Magistrate of the district, on the application of any person showing the necessity thereof, to depute any additional number of police-officers to keep the peace at any place within the general police-district, and for such time as shall be deemed proper. Such force shall be exclusively under the orders of the District Superintendent, and shall be at the charge of the person making the application:

Provided that it shall be lawful for the person on whose application such deputation shall have been made, on giving one month's notice in writing to the Inspector-General, Deputy Inspector-General, or Assistant Inspector-General, or to the District Superintendent, to require that the police-officers so deputed shall be withdrawn; and such person shall be relieved from the charge of such additional force from the expiration of such notice.

Explanation of the legal requirements

  1. Application and necessity: A person seeking additional police officers must apply and show why deployment is necessary to keep the peace.
  2. Competent officers: The Act identifies the Inspector-General, Deputy Inspector-General, Assistant Inspector-General and District Superintendent as officers empowered to arrange deployment, subject to the district Magistrate's general direction.
  3. Purpose and duration: Deployment is for keeping the peace at a place within the general police district and for the period considered appropriate.
  4. Operational control: The additional force remains exclusively under the District Superintendent's orders, not the applicant's instructions.
  5. Cost: The applicant is responsible for the charge of the additional force, subject to the applicable legal and administrative framework.
  6. Withdrawal: The applicant may require withdrawal by giving one month's written notice to one of the specified officers; liability for the additional force ends upon expiry of that notice under the provision.

Meaning of important expressions

Additional police force: Police personnel deputed beyond the ordinary deployment for the limited peacekeeping purpose contemplated by the provision.

General police-district: The police district within which the relevant authority can lawfully arrange the deployment, subject to the governing law.

One month's written notice: The statutory notice by which the applicant may seek withdrawal of the extra officers. A verbal request should not be treated as a substitute for the prescribed written notice.

Practical procedure for an applicant

An applicant should ordinarily submit a written request identifying the location, period, anticipated risk to public peace and reasons ordinary arrangements are insufficient. The authority may assess necessity, staffing, lawful charges and applicable state procedures. The applicant should obtain written confirmation of deployment and retain proof of any subsequent withdrawal notice.

Relationship with other provisions and state laws

Section 12 concerns rules and orders governing the police force. Section 14 deals with additional police in connection with railways, public works and specified establishments. Section 16 concerns recovery of money payable under Sections 13, 14, 15 and 15A.

Territorial application: Police administration is subject to state-specific laws, amendments and replacement legislation. Before relying on Section 13 in a particular state or Union Territory, verify the law currently applicable there. For example, Delhi has a separate provision on additional police under Section 38 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978.

Frequently asked questions

Can a private person request additional police?

Yes, where Section 13 applies, a person may apply and demonstrate necessity. Approval is subject to the statutory authority's decision.

Who commands the additional officers?

The District Superintendent, not the private applicant.

Who pays for deployment?

The applicant bears the charges as provided by Section 13 and any applicable rules or lawful directions.

How can the applicant end the arrangement?

By giving one month's written notice to a designated officer under the proviso, where the section applies.

Official legal sources

Read the Police Act, 1861 on India Code, the official India Code Act PDF, and the Ministry of Home Affairs publication. Check the relevant state police legislation and current notifications before taking action.

Updated: 1 November 2026. This article provides general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on an individual matter.