Head constable

Head constablewas a rank used in someBritishandBritish colonialpoliceforces, and is still used in theIndian policeandCentral Armed Police Forces.

England and Wales

Originally, head constable was the normal title for the chief officer of aboroughpolice force in England and Wales. Throughout the later 19th century and early 20th century, this title was superseded bychief constablein most forces. A few smaller borough forces and theLiverpool City Policeretained it until it was finally abolished under thePolice Act 1919.However,Winchester City Policeappears to have retained the title until 1943, when it was amalgamated withHampshire Constabulary.

India

Further information:List of police ranks in India

Insignia of an Indian police head constable.

Three white point-down chevrons.

Three bars on epaulettes (Maharashtra Police only)

Head constable in theIndian policeis equivalent tosergeantin police forces in other countries. Head constables wear three point-downchevronson their sleeves or three bars on theirepaulettes.InKerala Police,when serving in the local police, a head constable is designated as a senior civil police officer (SCPO).

Ireland and colonial police forces

In theRoyal Irish Constabulary,Royal Ulster Constabulary(until its reorganisation in 1970), and some colonial forces such as thePalestine Police,head constable was a rank between the sergeant andinspectorgrades, roughly equivalent to awarrant officerin the Army. In colonial forces, it was usually a rank held by Europeans only. Some colonial forces also had a higher rank of head constable major.