Assistant superintendent
Assistant Superintendent, or assistant superintendent of police (ASP), 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. Today, this rank is found throughout The Commonwealth in police ranking structures including the UK's Scotland Yard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Commonwealth Caribbean states. The rank is above inspector (chief inspector) and below superintendent.
India
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) 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. All IPS officers starts their career as Assistant Superintendent of Police. State Cadre Officer cannot hold this rank. They hold Deputy Superintendent of Police rank which equivalent to this rank.
The Bahamas
In the Royal Bahamas Police this rank is above inspector and below superintendent. An ASP wears three bath stars or pips on the shoulder.
Nigeria
The Assistant Superintendent of Police in Nigeria is selected by the head of the Police Force in a state, The Commissioner of Police, to eligible candidates that must have achieved the Inspector of Police rank. The level is directly below the Deputy Superintendent of Police rank, and is the sixth-lowest rank, above the Inspector of Police; Major Sergeant; Sergeant; Corporal; and the Constable.
Pakistan
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.
Sri Lanka
In the Sri Lanka Police Service, the rank of assistant superintendent of police (ASP) is the lowest rank of gazetted officer in Sri Lanka police. The rank is above the rank of chief inspector of police (CIP) and below an superintendent of police (SP). Generally an ASP would be in command of a group of police stations in a police division. Direct entry to the rank is possible for graduates while chief inspector of police (CIP) would be promoted as well. They are similar to the Commissioned officers in Armed forces, Sri Lanka
Singapore
In the Singapore Police Force, an ASP is the second lowest Senior Officer rank, immediately above an Inspector and below a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Fresh police officer cadets graduate from the Home Team Academy as Inspectors or ASPs depending on their educational qualification.
References
- http://mahapolice.gov.in/mahapolice/jsp/temp/html/policerank.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20090228121335/http://police.gov.bn/ASP.html