LUCKNOW, May 23 -- In a move rarely seen in Uttar Pradesh Police, Sambhal superintendent of police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi has appointed five head constables and five women sub-inspectors as police outpost in-charges after subjecting candidates to interviews, technical assessments and performance reviews. This departs from the long-followed practice of reserving such posts largely for sub-inspectors based on rank seniority.

The initiative has triggered debate within police circles over whether merit and technical expertise should carry greater weight than hierarchy in field policing assignments.

SP Bishnoi said the exercise aimed at promoting merit, operational efficiency and technology-oriented policing at the grassroots level. "All...