RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE (RPF)

About:

• Functions: It has the primary duty of protection of railway property, passenger area, and passengers. RPF is NOT responsible for ALL aspects of railways security as it shares its duties with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the District Police.
  
  
• Power: It has the power to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals.
  
  
• Administration: RPF is under the control of Ministry of Railways. It is headed by the Director General (DG).
  
  

Background:

• The Railway Security Force (RSF) was established in
  
  
• The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 renamed RSF to Railway Protection Force (RPF) and expanded the force’s legal powers (thus it’s a statutory body).
  
  
• In 1980s it was transformed into an ‘Armed Force of the Union’ by giving enhanced powers.