Team Herald

PANJIM: In what could be considered as first step towards merger of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) with the Goa Police, the willingness of 42 Police Sub Inspectors (PSIs) from IRB has been sought to join the State police service.

IRB Commandant SM Prabhudessai has issued a note with a subject “merging of IRB, Goa into Goa Police service”, with the approval of Director General of Police (DGP).

“The officers of the rank of Police Sub Inspectors from the Indian Reserve Battalion, Goa, who are willing to merge into Goa Police as PSIs (executive), may give their willingness within a week,” the note issued on September 9, reads.

Upon merger, the seniority of PSIs will be counted in the Police Department from January 1, 2020.

Prabhudessai also said in the note “it is proposed that henceforth, there shall be no direct recruitment in IRB, Goa for the post of PSIs”.

“The post of officers’ upto the rank of PSIs of IRB shall be filled by promotion among the feeder grade cadre posts from IRB, Goa,” he added further.

When contacted, Prabhudessai explained that it is not complete merger of IRB Goa into the Police Department but we have asked willingness of 42 PSIs to merge with State police service.

“The note is presently with regards to only PSIs,” he added. Currently, the IRB’s role is limited to law and order duties.

The first IRB was inducted in 2006, while the second was in 2010 and third in 2013. The total staff strength of the three IRB’s is around 2,500.