'Community policing, professionalism top priority'

Sharanappa S D takes charges as new SP of DK district

Sharanappa S D took charge as the 130th superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district here on Wednesday. He succeeds Shantanu Sinha who has been transferred. He had taken charge just five months ago.

Speaking after taking charge, Sharanappa said that thrust will be on basic police functioning and police professionalism by improving the beat system and holding janaspandana.

There is a need to bridge the gap between the community and police department. “The major challenge before us is conducting free and fair Lok Sabha polls. With the announcement of the election, the model code of conduct is in force. We need to plan meticulously for the conduct of election peacefully,” he said. 

Stating that problems in Gadag and Dakshina Kannada are different, he said Maoist menace and communalism needs to be addressed. “Communal harmony in the district will be strengthened.  Communalism is a sensitive issue in the district. Stringent action will be initiated against those who break the laws. Community policing and community participation will be given priority in the district. Modern available technology will be used to detect crimes,” the SP added. 

To a query on political pressure in the DK district, Dr Sharanappa said “my transfer to DK district was unexpected. Laws are Bible for us. We follow rules and regulations and will not heed to any pressure. Under many circumstances, we will be transferred.” “The good work implemented by my predecessor will be continued,” he added. 

On improving quality of police system, he said that with professionalism and improving basic police functioning, three police stations in Gadag had received ISO certification during his tenure. 

To a query on decline in crime detection case, he said that he will study the pending crime detection cases in the district. A website will be created for Dakshina Kannada police, to furnish details to the public, he said. 

A native of Gulbarga, Sharanappa, a 2009 batch IPS officer, had served as SP of Gadag district. He had started his career as probation officer at Tumkur and later served as ASP in Sagar. 

He had completed BSc (Agriculture) from Raichur and MSc (Agriculture) from Coimbatore. He also completed his PhD in genetics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. ASP Shivkumar was present.