Jaipur: The Rajasthan Police has been making various innovative efforts to connect with the public and spread awareness about policing through social media. However, a recent question posed by the police on X (formerly Twitter) not only sparked a wave of humorous responses but also raised serious concerns about the department’s public image.

The official Rajasthan Police social media handle posted a question:
"Do you know? What is the highest rank in the Rajasthan Police Force?"

The four answer choices provided were:

• SP (Superintendent of Police)

• DGP (Director General of Police)

• Inspector

• Constable

This question was intended to educate people about the police hierarchy, but the public’s responses painted a different picture altogether. A significant number of users declared ‘Constable’ as the highest position in Rajasthan Police, and their reasoning raised critical questions about the force’s working structure. The tweet received over 500 responses, reflecting the sentiment of the masses.

One user commented:

"DGP may hold the highest rank, but in reality, it is the constable who forms the backbone of the police department, standing tirelessly on duty day and night."

Another remarked:

"Technically, DGP is the highest rank, but at the district level, SP holds power, in the station, it's the Inspector, and in colonies and villages, the Constable acts like a DGP himself!"

Some responses were outright critical of the police system, with one user questioning:

"Why does it even matter what the highest rank is? Whether big or small, what’s more important is what the police are actually doing. The ground reality is that atrocities are not stopping."

"The Constable – The Real Face of Policing"

One social media user wrote:

"The constable is the highest-ranking officer because he works the hardest."

Many echoed this sentiment, arguing that at the grassroots level, the most visible and active member of the police force is the constable, who interacts with the public and handles daily challenges.

Highlighting the demanding nature of the constable’s duty, another user stated:

"From our perspective, the constable is the highest authority. Whether in scorching heat, pouring rain, or freezing cold, you’ll find him stationed at every intersection. It is because of him that we feel safe, so for us, the constable is supreme."

Another response, dripping with sarcasm, read:

"On paper, the DGP holds the highest rank, but on the ground, it’s the constable standing on the road who wields the most power."

Several users also pointed out how the fear of the police, particularly in rural areas, remains a pressing issue.

One user remarked:

"Of course, the highest rank is DGP, but in Rajasthan’s rural areas, the fear of the police still prevails. Transform that fear into trust. Instill confidence among the public and fear among criminals. Even today, if the police visit someone’s house for passport verification, people see them with suspicion."

This comment reflects a significant challenge—the perception of the police among the general public. The humorous yet thought-provoking responses indicate that for many, the real power in the force lies not in hierarchical titles but in the hands of those who actually work on the ground.

Several people took a jibe at the internal hierarchy and power dynamics within the police force.

One user remarked:

"In our Dholpur, even a constable believes himself to be the DGP, so naturally, the constable holds the highest rank."

Criticism of Recruitment Scams and Paper Leaks

Some users also criticized corruption within police recruitment, particularly paper leak scams.

One comment read:

"The highest position is SI (Sub-Inspector), because despite massive fraud and paper leaks in 2021, the SI recruitment process still couldn't be canceled."

Another response stated:

"The biggest rank is SI recruitment 2021's mafia of fraudsters and fake station officers... The government remains mute and deaf while the public mocks them. Then there's the 'slip CM' who has become a puppet of these mafia groups."

Another person sarcastically noted:

"Looking at the current government’s intentions and situation, the highest rank must be 'Raj SI.'"

A particularly scathing critique read:

"The mother of all ranks is RPSC (Rajasthan Public Service Commission), but the most powerful rank is that of Sub-Inspector because it can be bought fraudulently for 20-25 lakh rupees. Even the DGP or the Chief Minister lacks the power or will to remove these fraudsters from their positions."

Public Sentiment: A Lack of Trust in Rajasthan Police

Some responses also emphasized the dignity and responsibility that come with holding a police rank.

One user commented:

"No matter the rank, if its dignity is not upheld, it serves no purpose."

Another questioned the accountability of higher officials:

"A constable can do whatever he wants, but the DGP doesn’t even bother to look at what’s happening on the streets."

Instead of such quiz-based engagement, some users suggested that Rajasthan Police focus on actual reforms:

"Each district’s crime-solving rate should be published regularly. What use is this trivia for the public?"

This entire incident highlights a significant trust deficit between the public and the Rajasthan Police. The public’s responses indicate a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with policing practices and demand real reforms.

While Rajasthan Police’s social media campaign aimed to raise awareness, the responses reveal that the public expects a more transparent and accountable police force. These witty yet sharp remarks reflect the broader social perception of the police.

Many believe that constables do the most work and have the closest interaction with the public, yet their efforts remain unrecognized at an administrative level. Additionally, concerns over corruption, harsh treatment of civilians, and a lack of accountability were widely voiced.

Especially in rural areas, the police are still seen as an entity that instills fear rather than trust. Public responses suggest that true reform will not come from simply renaming top positions but from fundamental changes in behavior, accountability, and operational conduct.

The public’s satirical yet thought-provoking answers highlight the need for Rajasthan Police to bridge the gap between their motto— आमजन में विश्वास और अपराधियों में भय (Public trust, fear among criminals)— and ground reality.