Section 3: Superintendence in the State Government
The superintendence of the police throughout a general police-district shall vest in and shall be exercised by the State Government to which such district is subordinate; and except as authorised under the provisions of this Act, no person, officer, or Court shall be empowered by the State Government to supersede, or control any police functionary.
Source: official text of The Police Act, 1861 as published on India Code (PDF). All sections of the Police Act, 1861.