Officers who already held the rank retained it, and were promoted to inspector as soon as a vacancy arose.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police rank of sub-inspector was introduced in 1942 with the insignia of one star, similar to an army second lieutenant.

The rank insignia for a sub-inspector is two (five point) stars, and a red and blue striped ribbon at the outer end of the shoulder straps.

An assistant sub-inspector has one (five point) star, and a red and blue striped ribbon at the outer end of the shoulder straps.

For the post of sub-inspector and assistant sub inspector, a Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruits eligible candidates on national level in various Central Armed Police Forces like BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, CISF, and other Central Police Organisations, such as CBI, RPF.

[4][5] In the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the rank of sub-inspector is the senior-most of non-commissioned officers.

A sub-inspector of the PDRM ranks immediately above a sergeant major (SM) and below a probationary inspector (P/Insp).

The basic educational entry requirement is that an applicant has passed the G.C.E Advance Level Examination.