The Director General and Inspector General of Police, Karnataka state, Shri K.R Srinivasan, IPS, comes across as a dedicated and disciplined police officer. As the Chief Guest on the occasion of the Annual Graduation Day of Garden City College, GCC World got up close and candid with the officer and gentleman. In a freewheeling interview, he talks about life in uniform and the demands of the profession. Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Sir, tell us about the most interesting experience of your career?
A: (Thoughtfully) All experiences were interesting. I was involved with the tracking of Rajiv Gandhi's assassin; Rajkumar's

kidnapping and controlling many communal sensitive situations. So I cannot relate only one experience as interesting. Every incident has a different flavour to it and special in its own way.

Q: You have been a teacher before you joined the police. Which of the two is more challenging?
A: Police men are in a very demanding profession. Teaching is like a lake whereas policing is like an ocean and with the advent of terrorism the job has become all the more challenging. So in my view my stint as a police officer is more taxing.

Q: What do you have to say about the riots in Bangalore?
A: Do not indulge in such acts. They destroy the peace and harmony of the entire nation. It just needs one incident to trigger the fury of the whole country. Also some of this is the result of outsiders' dirty politics that don't have a stake in the functioning of the state. One should realize, it is poor classes that suffer the most

Q: What are the challenges of your job?
A: It is very crucial to maintain a good rapport with people around you. At times it is a tad difficult but you have to do it. One also has to realize that every person's job is significant no matter where he belongs in the hierarchy. The most innocuous people also have a role to play and they are indispensable.

Q: What is your take on cyber crime?
A: It becomes very difficult for the police to track down cyber criminals because the offender and the victim are not necessarily in the same place. But you would be glad to know that we are the first state to begin a cyber police station.

Q: Your opinion about corruption amongst police men?
A: Corruption is an evil which has spread its roots in every institution. The irony is that it is more visible in the police force because we are a public serving organisation.

Q: What is your impression of our college?
A: This is the first time I have come here. See, it takes a lot of time to build the system in shape. But I am happy to see that in discipline is being instilled and there is scope for freedom of expression. The blazer you are wearing stands testimony to the fact. It is heartening to see that traditions are being built up in this age of instant gratifications.