Station Diary

The Station Diary consists of a set of records maintained at an Indian police station that contain information of importance to the running of the police station. It also serves as an introductory guide to newly appointed sub-inspectors or inspectors, who assume command of the station.

The station diary primarily contains the following set of information:-

1. A map of the jurisdictional area, and important details such as educational institutions, water tanks, water bodies, banks and places of worship.
2. A list of known depredators (KDs), or criminals, in the area, along with other believed anti-social elements, including prostitutes and gamblers.
3. A list of people who could identify the KDs if the need arose, together with a list of known criminal associates, especially people who deal in buying stolen goods.
4. A document describing the modus operandi of already prosecuted criminals and habitual offenders.
5. Serious unsolved crimes in the jurisdictional area.
6. Serious unsolved crimes in adjoining police areas.

This system is in widespread use with the Indian Police Forces, although the data is not computerised, making maintaining the diary a tedious process.

Another major document in an Indian Police station is the Station General Diary, which is used to record every major incident (e.g. theft, murder, traffic accidents) happening within the jurisdiction of the police station on a daily basis. The General Diary is likely to be maintained by a veteran Head Constable (equivalent to a Sergeant) known as G.D Charge Head Constable.