2 days Ago By Payal Dhawan
Ludhiana: Newly appointed Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma has outlined his five key priorities for law enforcement in the city, focusing on crime control, drug enforcement , public engagement, organized crime , and systemic changes within the police force. Sharma, a 2009-batch IPS officer, took charge as the 24th Commissioner of Police, replacing Kuldeep Singh Chahal. After assuming office on Saturday evening, he convened a meeting with senior officers by Sunday afternoon to discuss his action plan.
In an interaction with the media, Sharma emphasised a multi-faceted approach to law enforcement. "Our first priority is to curb petty and street crimes, ensuring citizens feel safe. We will enhance police visibility and presence in public areas," he said.
On tackling drug-related offenses, Sharma said that while Punjab Police is actively running the ‘Yudh Nashya Virudh' campaign, his focus will be on regularly reviewing and assessing its progress to sustain its impact. Strengthening public engagement is another crucial focus area. Sharma announced that ‘Sampark' meetings would be held to bridge the gap between police and the public.
"We will ensure timely and effective grievance redressal at the police station level," he added. Sharma also vowed strict action against repeat offenders and organized crime networks. "History-sheeters and criminals involved in heinous offenses will be closely tracked and apprehended," he said.
The fifth key priority is internal reform. Sharma plans to streamline the inquiry process by making it more officer-oriented. Instead of burdening investigating officers (IOs) with administrative work, support staff will handle documentation and statement recording.
Financial crime and women-related cases will be escalated beyond lower-level handling. Traffic congestion remains a pressing issue in Ludhiana, and Sharma recalled his previous stint as ACP (traffic) when illegal auto-rickshaws were removed from roads. He assured residents that similar enforcement drives will be implemented to ease city traffic.
Sharma also stressed the importance of accountability within the force. "Tasks will be assigned to officers with frequent review meetings to monitor progress. Timely evaluations will ensure efficiency in policing," he said.
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