In a move to bolster its intelligence capabilities, the Mumbai Police will soon have a sixth Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) dedicated to overseeing intelligence gathering and monitoring sleeper cells. This decision by the Maharashtra government follows the recent India-Pakistan military conflict and the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighting the need for heightened security measures in the metropolis.

Currently, the Mumbai Police have five Joint Commissioners responsible for law and order, crime, administration, traffic, and economic offenses. The new Joint Commissioner will head the Special Branch, which is responsible for intelligence collection. The Special Branch monitors developments in the city, gathers intelligence inputs, and keeps track of sleeper cells and terror sympathizers.

Previously, the Special Branch was headed by an Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl CP), a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officer, who reported to the Joint Commissioner (Law and Order). Now, the Special Branch will be headed by a Joint Commissioner of Inspector-General (IG) rank. This elevation in rank signifies the importance of intelligence gathering for the city's security. The Joint Commissioner of the Special Branch will now report directly to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, streamlining the intelligence reporting structure. The Joint Commissioner of Special Branch will also coordinate with the Joint Commissioner (Law and Order).

Government officials believe that this new mechanism will improve intelligence gathering and ensure timely information sharing with superiors, enabling swift action. The proposal to create this position reportedly faced resistance but gained momentum during the recent escalation in India-Pakistan tensions. During a recent meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed the police to monitor potential sleeper cells that Pakistan might activate, emphasizing the need to prioritize intelligence gathering operations.

Currently, the post of Additional Commissioner (Special Branch) is vacant and is being looked after by the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime). The Maharashtra government has also empowered head constables and above to investigate cases to ensure proper investigations. This order was issued on May 9 and aims to ensure investigations are conducted properly. With the new order, head constables and above are empowered to investigate cases after the concerned rank official is deputed by an officer in charge of the police station.

The creation of this new Joint Commissioner position is a strategic move to strengthen Mumbai's counterterrorism capabilities. It will streamline operations, improve coordination, and ensure a swift flow of information, enhancing the city's security apparatus in a dynamic threat landscape. The Mumbai Police are currently operating without a Special Commissioner, so all Joint Commissioners are reporting directly to Commissioner Deven Bharti.