Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh and Assam DGP Prakash Singh (IPS: 1959: UP), has described police service as an opportunity to help people facing distress and injustice, stressing sensitivity, integrity and commitment to principles.
Singh was speaking at the launch of his book in Lucknow on Thursday. The retired IPS officer, who also headed the Border Security Force (BSF), recalled several challenging assignments during his career across insurgency- and militancy-affected regions.
Prakash Singh Recalls Career in Insurgency-Hit Regions
Singh recalled spending nearly four years in Nagaland during the insurgency before serving as Assam DGP during a period of unrest involving the ULFA. He later headed the Uttar Pradesh Police when organised crime and mafia activity were major challenges.
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His career also included a senior BSF assignment in Punjab during the peak of militancy. The Indian Police Foundation records that Singh served in some of the country’s most challenging security theatres, including Nagaland, Assam, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh.
Singh also recalled his work on border security and said technology was used to strengthen fencing along the India-Pakistan border, helping restrict the movement of terrorists.
‘Police Service’ as Public Service
Speaking about the responsibilities of police personnel, Singh said people who approach the police are often dealing with distress or injustice. He said helping such people and treating them with sensitivity should be viewed as an opportunity to serve society.
He also emphasised the importance of remaining committed to one’s principles, describing this as a foundation for success in public service.
Singh has been awarded the Padma Shri, with the Government of India recognising his contribution to national security in 1991. He has also received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
A Career Spanning Police, BSF and Police Reforms
Prakash Singh joined the Indian Police Service in 1959 and went on to serve as DGP of Uttar Pradesh and Assam and as Director General of the BSF. He holds a B.A. and M.A. degree in History from the University of Allahabad. His career included assignments dealing with insurgency in Nagaland and Assam, militancy in Punjab and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.
After retirement, Singh became one of the prominent advocates of police reforms. His public-interest litigation led to the Supreme Court’s landmark 2006 Prakash Singh judgment, which laid down directions concerning structural reforms and accountability in the police system.
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