Salem, natively spelt as Selam, is a major city in Salem district, located on the banks of the Thirumanimutharu river in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu surrounded by mountains. Salem is the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the state, exceeded by Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, and third largest metropolitan region in the state only after to Chennai and Coimbatore metropolitan regions. The city is 124 km2 (48 sq mi) large. Major products of Salem include silver anklets, sago, mangoes, steel, and textiles.

Tamil Nadu Police is the primary law enforcement agency of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is over 150 years old and is the fifth largest state police force in India. Tamil Nadu has a police-population ratio of 1:632. The Director General of the Tamil Nadu police is Shankar Jiwal.