Special Police Officers

19. Special Police Officers. (1) Whenever it shall appear on an application of any Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector, that any unlawful assembly or riot or disturbance of the peace has taken place or may be reasonably apprehended in any place and that the Police force ordinarily employed in the place is not sufficient for its preservation and for the protection of the inhabitants and the security of property in the place, the Commissioner, the Superintendent or any First Class Magistrate, or any other Magistrate specially empowered in this behalf by Government, may by a written order signed by himself (1) The Commissioner, the Superintendent or any Magistrate authorised by the State Government in this behalf may at any time by a written order under his hand and sealed with his own seal appoint any able-bodied male person, whom he considers fit and who is between the ages of eighteen and fifty and resident in any neighbourhood to be a Special Police Officer to assist the Police Force, during such time and within such limits as the Commissioner, the Superintendent or Magistrate shall deem necessary. (2) Every Special Police Officer so appointed shall on appointment,— (a) receive a certificate in a form approved by the Government in this behalf. (b) have the same powers, privileges and immunities and be liable to the same duties and responsibilities and subject to the same authorities as an ordinary Police Officer.