Assistant commissioner, or assistant commissioner of police (AcP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. In the 20th century, it was in many territories opened to non-Europeans as well.
The rank below assistant superintendent was usually inspector, a rank usually held by non-Europeans. The rank above was deputy superintendent or superintendent depending on the force. The rank badge was usually two or three stars ("pips").
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Assistant superintendent of police is still in use in India where the officer holding this rank is from Indian Police Service. However, assistant superintendent of police is a probationary rank and is worn by officers when under training at SVPNPA.
In Pakistan, an assistant superintendent of police is a selected through the Central Superior Services examination. An ASP is the entry level rank of the Police Service of Pakistan.
This rank is used Sri Lanka where the officer is supposed to be in the Sri Lanka Police Service (where it is denoted by one, two or three stars depending on seniority) and the police forces of a number of other Commonwealth countries. In the Sri Lanka Police Service, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) is the lowest rank of senior gazetted officer. The rank is above the rank of chief inspector of police (CIP) and below an superintendent of police (SP). Generally an ASP would be the in command of a group of police stations in a police division.
Most assistant superintendents are directly recruited into the police service as probationary assistant superintendents for one year's training. The basic educational entry requirement is that an applicant is a graduate. Annually certain number of Gazetted Officers who have come up through the ranks are promoted to rank of ASP.
The rank insignia for a assistant superintendent is the national court of arms, similar to an Army major.