When most police officers are judged by the number of cases they solve, Om Prakash (O.P.) Singh built his name on something far deeper — public connection. For him, policing has never been only about law and order. It has been about confidence, dignity, and the belief that every citizen deserves fairness. Whether he was running marathons with thousands of young people, drafting the nation’s first anti-money laundering case, or motivating children through sports, OP Singh built bridges where others saw barriers.
Today, he stands at the top of Haryana Police as the Director General of Police (DGP), taking charge during one of the most challenging phases in the state. His rise to the top was not a tale of shortcuts — but of consistency, perspective and an uncommon quiet strength.
From Jamui to the IPS: A Journey Rooted in Reality
Born in Bihar’s Jamui district, OP Singh did not grow up in privilege or proximity to power. He grew up in a region where governments were often absent, and when they appeared, they arrived only after the worst had already happened — sometimes creating more problems than solutions. Respectable citizens struggled to protect their dignity; petty criminals roamed without fear.
He often says that the environment he grew up in shaped him more deeply than any textbook or training ever could. It taught him that survival was not guaranteed, fairness was rare, and solutions hardly ever reached the people who needed them most.
Time, he believes, moves without concern for who is prepared and who is not. “The good time flies like a bullet,” he often reflects, “and the bad refuses to end.” But instead of letting time push him, he decided to use it to define himself.
A Career That Began Without a Plan — And Found Its Purpose
People often ask him when he first thought of joining the IPS. His answer is disarmingly simple: never.
School and college passed in joy, not ambition. Exams were opportunities to test his courage, not cause for fear. When he heard that the civil services examination was one of the toughest in the world, his instinctive response was: let’s see.
And just like that, “while strolling,” as he puts it, he entered the Indian Police Service.
What others call struggle, he describes as something he barely noticed. Determination and willingness carried him farther than planning ever could.
Becoming the “Government” He Never Had
When he joined the IPS and was posted far from home — thousands of miles away — a thought struck him immediately: I am now the government I never had.
From day one, he vowed to become a solution for the people he served.
He encouraged his subordinates with a message rooted in empathy:
“People are breathing freely for the first time after centuries of suffering. Forgive their mistakes, their fear, their confusion. But never forgive dishonesty or exploitation.”
To those above him, he simply said: “If something benefits the public and harms no one, I am ready.”
This philosophy, he often says, has protected him for 34 years — he never faced difficulty because he never compromised on fairness.
Reimagining Roles: Policing Beyond Policing
Singh worked across numerous districts — Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind and Railway Police — always stepping outside the office to listen directly to people. But what truly distinguished his career was his refusal to stay confined to the typical path.
Cracking Financial Crime
As Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate (2003–2007), he played a pivotal role in drafting the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2005 and registering India’s first money-laundering case involving a Canada-based NRI drug trafficker.
Reinventing Sports in Haryana
When he became Haryana’s Sports Director (2008–2012), he made it his mission to bring children back to playgrounds. Inspired by large-scale global fitness movements, he decided Haryana would one day witness 50,000 people running together — and years later, it did.
He introduced the now-famous PIE model — Participation, Inclusion and Excellence, and launched:
- Play for India
- SPAT scholarship scheme
- Fairplay Stipend Scheme for Scheduled Caste athletes
- Equal facilities for disabled and non-disabled sportspersons
Fifteen lakh children participated in SPAT annually. Stadiums overflowed for three straight months. Haryana became a powerhouse of sports, and Singh documented the journey in his acclaimed book Say Yes to Sports.
Leadership in the Field: Innovation Rooted in Ground Presence
Across his postings as Police Commissioner (Ambala-Panchkula, Faridabad), IGP (Hisar, Rewari), Director SCRB, and Special Officer to the Chief Minister, he consistently introduced fresh ideas — turning community participation into a tool of trust-building.
A coach once told him about a runner in New Zealand whose synchronized runs drew thousands across cities. Singh made a quiet promise to himself:
One day I will run with fifty thousand people.
He fulfilled that promise through district marathons that transformed policing.
He instructed every SHO to build strong working relationships with at least fifty community influencers — people who could mobilise 20–30 youths each. The result: tens of thousands joined the first district marathon itself.
His belief was simple: “A police officer who has access to a thousand people will never be defeated.”
Taking Charge as DGP: Leadership in a Sensitive Moment
On October 14, 2025, OP Singh took over as the Director General of Police, Haryana, during a time of controversy and public scrutiny. His appointment signaled stability, maturity and a return to disciplined leadership.
He now simultaneously handles:
- Additional DGP, State Narcotic Control Bureau
- Additional DGP, Cyber
Both are critical portfolios as Haryana battles drug trafficking and cybercrime.
His priorities for the force include:
- Strengthening internal discipline
- Community-focused policing
- Mental health support for personnel
- Dignity and morale across all ranks
A Decorated Officer and a Motivator Beyond the Uniform
Awards:
- Police Medal (2008)
- President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2017)
He is also the author of:
- Say Yes to Sports
- Hauslanama
- Jin Dhoondha Tin Paaiyaan
His message to young people remains unwavering:
“Discipline brings opportunity. Hope brings direction.”
Family, Public Attention and a Life Anchored in Fairness
Yes, he is the brother-in-law of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput — a detail that brings curiosity but never defined him.
What defines him is respect:
- Constables say he listens.
- Officers say he protects dignity.
- Families say he gives opportunity where others give excuses.
A Leadership Philosophy for the Future
As DGP, OP Singh represents a shift from transactional policing to transformational policing. If his past is any indication, Haryana Police is standing at the beginning of a more innovative, humane, and disciplined era.
In Hauslanama, he writes:
“Leadership is not about leading from the front. It is about ensuring no one gets left behind.”
For Haryana Police, that line may well be the roadmap for years ahead.
