Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at strengthening policing standards and improving law-and-order management, the Odisha Police has assigned 15 senior IPS officers to closely monitor policing and crime-control mechanisms across 17 districts of the state.
The decision comes against the backdrop of growing public concern over custodial deaths, incidents of mob violence, allegations of third-degree torture in police stations, and a perceived increase in lawlessness in certain parts of the state.
Under the Annual Block Inspection Programme-2026, the Odisha Police Headquarters has directed senior officers ranging from the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) to Inspector General of Police (IGP) to undertake extensive inspections of designated districts and submit comprehensive assessment reports.
Major Review of Policing Across Crime-Prone Districts
According to official directives, the selected IPS officers will independently review the functioning of police units in 17 identified districts considered sensitive from the perspective of crime and law-and-order management.
According to an order issued by the State Police Headquarters on June 6, 2026, fifteen senior IPS officers ranging from the ranks of Director General of Police (DGP), Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) have been assigned to inspect police functioning in 17 districts across the state beginning July 1.
The initiative is expected to provide the state police leadership with a ground-level assessment of policing effectiveness and identify areas requiring immediate intervention.
The inspection exercise will commence from July 1, 2026, and the officers have been instructed to complete their field visits and submit detailed reports within 15 days of their inspections.
Senior IPS Officers Assigned Key Districts
As part of the Annual Block Inspection Programme-2026, several senior IPS officers have been assigned specific districts for monitoring and evaluation.
Key assignments include:
- Vinaytosh Mishra, Director General, Crime Branch – Balasore and Bhadrak
- Sanjeeb Panda, ADG, Anti-Naxal Operations – Koraput and Rayagada
- Saumendra Priyadarshi, ADG, Modernisation – Jagatsinghpur
- Arun Bothra, ADG, Coastal Security – Angul
- Prateek Mohanty, ADG (Headquarters) – Jajpur
- Anup Kumar Sahoo, IGP, Training – Puri
- Sarthak Sarangi, IGP, Crime Branch – Kendrapada
Other districts have also been allocated to senior officers for detailed reviews.
Focus Areas During Inspection
The senior officers have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review covering multiple aspects of policing and administration.
During their visits, they will examine:
- Overall law-and-order conditions in the assigned districts
- Crime prevention strategies and enforcement mechanisms
- Quality and efficiency of criminal investigations
- Functioning and management of police stations
- Performance of district police offices
- Operational readiness of reserve police establishments
- Administrative efficiency and resource management
- Public grievance handling and community policing initiatives
The inspection reports are expected to include recommendations for improving policing standards and strengthening accountability mechanisms.
Move Comes Amid Public Scrutiny of Police Functioning
The decision assumes significance as the Odisha Police has recently faced criticism over a series of incidents involving custodial deaths, allegations of police excesses, complaints of torture during interrogation, and instances of mob violence in different parts of the state.
Several incidents have raised questions regarding police accountability, investigative practices, and law-enforcement responsiveness, prompting calls for stronger oversight and institutional reforms.
Police authorities believe that regular monitoring by senior officers will help identify operational deficiencies, improve supervision, and ensure better compliance with policing standards.
Strengthening Accountability and Public Confidence
Officials say the inspection programme is intended not merely as an administrative exercise but as a mechanism to strengthen accountability across the police hierarchy.
By deploying experienced IPS officers for independent assessments, the state police leadership aims to obtain an objective evaluation of district-level policing and law-and-order management.
The findings are expected to help formulate corrective measures, improve service delivery, enhance professionalism within the force, and restore public confidence in law-enforcement institutions.
Reports to Guide Future Policing Reforms
The detailed reports submitted by the inspecting officers will likely serve as an important input for future policing reforms and administrative decisions.
Senior officials are expected to examine the recommendations carefully and initiate measures wherever deficiencies are identified. The exercise may also lead to improvements in crime investigation practices, station-level functioning, supervisory mechanisms, and public engagement initiatives.
With the Annual Block Inspection Programme-2026 set to begin next month, the Odisha Police leadership is signalling a renewed emphasis on accountability, transparency, and effective law enforcement across the state.
