Railway Protection Force (RPF) Provides a Challenging Yet Rewarding Career Prospect!

C S Ray, inspector general (C), Railway Protection Force, Northern Railway, Delhi, talks about the opportunities and challenges.

What is the scope of an RPF officer's work? What are the various divisions in RPF and what are their responsibilities?

The RPF is entrusted with the job of providing security to railway property, and passengers. Railway property includes, apart from station buildings, trains and all industrial establishments (production units) under the railways. Apart from this, RPF officers have the opportunity to work on deputation in various organisations such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), as vigilance officers in various public sector undertakings (PSUs) and in UN missions abroad.

Functionally, the RPF is divided into the executive branch and the prosecution branch. The executive branch is sub-divided into static, mobile, crime, special and stores wings. The static wing, consisting of RPF posts, is responsible for the security of railway property, passengers and crimes against it. The mobile wing generally escorts passenger and goods trains and assists the static wing.

The crime wing is a specialised squad for collection and collation of crime intelligence and it also enquires into difficult cases. They are assisted by the dogs' squad. The special wing collects intelligence affecting the security and functioning of the railways. The stores wing caters to the requirement of the force for uniform, accoutrements, arms, ammunition, equipment and other store items. Apart from this, there are 10 training institutions to cater to the needs of the force personnel.

Are there adequate numbers of good RPF officers in the country?

Yes, I think there are adequate numbers of good RPF officers as they enter the force following a tough competitive exam/selection. Moreover, the recruitment process is fairly regular.

Where would an RPF officer be required to work?

While in service, they have the opportunity to work in various police set-ups, PSUs, in Indian missions abroad and also in the UN as police advisors. After retirement, officers or those who may have taken premature retirement have found work with the various security agencies and even in the private sector.

What are the challenges before RPF officers? What is the future of RPF as a career choice among young men and women?

Due to the fast-changing security scenario in the country, an RPF officer has to be familiar with the use of technology for security, develop his sources of intelligence, and work in close coordination with the other security agencies. Indian Railways, spread across the length and breadth of the country, provides an opportunity as well as a challenge to RPF personnel to work in Jammu & Kashmir, the northeast and even in the deep south.

RPF, I think, offers a satisfying career to young men as it offers reasonable promotional prospects and the opportunity to see the country while performing one's duty. Each station or a compartment is like a mini-India, where people from different states can be found and have to be looked after. It widens your horizons.

How has the role of an RPF officer changed from the point of view of the safety measures that railways take to avert subversive acts? Are the RPF officers given any special training towards this?

In recent times, there has been a shift in focus from protecting railway property to the security of the system itself. The railways have identified about 120 vulnerable stations throughout the country where the scheme of integrated security system is being implemented. RPF officers are being sent in large numbers for commando and other specialised training at institutes of other police organisations in the country and abroad.

 

Author: Pranab Ghosh (HT Horizons)

Date: 6th January, 2011

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