29,108 additional police posts to be created in the next five years: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay

C. Joseph Vijay. File | Photo Credit: ANI Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced that 29,108 additional police posts would be created in a phased manner over the next five years in police stations across the State to address the shortage of manpower in the police force.Making a slew of announcements during the discussion in the Assembly on the demands for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services departments, Mr. Vijay said 10,000 police personnel, including 5,000 women police personnel, would be recruited this year.With the primary objectives of preventing crimes against women and children and transforming Tamil Nadu into a drug-free State, the government has established special forces named the “Singapen Special Task Force” and the “Anti-Drug Force”.To increase the proportion of women police personnel in the Tamil Nadu Police from the current 22% to 30%, an initial batch of 5,000 women police personnel would be recruited as part of the total intake of 10,000 personnel, he said. The State currently has a total police strength of 1,34,667 personnel.He also announced that a “Special Award for Drug-Free Tamil Nadu Villages” would be instituted for villages that successfully eliminate the drug menace. A total of 50 villages would be selected every year, with each receiving a certificate of recognition and a special infrastructure grant of ₹10 lakh, involving an annual allocation of ₹5 crore.A sum of ₹212 crore would be allocated to modernise the police force. The funds would help the force adopt modern technologies for security and intelligence and address contemporary challenges through artificial intelligence, advanced digital forensics, real-time monitoring systems, and modern communication and control centres.A compensation of ₹1 crore would be provided to the families of police personnel who display extraordinary bravery and make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty while maintaining law and order. The ex-gratia paid to the families of police personnel who die, suffer disabilities or sustain injuries while on duty would also be increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.The Chief Minister said a multi-purpose indoor stadium and outdoor sports facilities would be established at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Vandalur, Oonamancheri, at a cost of ₹23 crore to meet the training and physical fitness requirements of police personnel.Condemned police vehicles would be replaced with new vehicles at a cost of ₹200 crore to ensure faster and more efficient police services to the public, Mr. Vijay added. Published - September 03, 2026 06:07 pm IST