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A man of principles, the guardian of law and order, a well - wisher of the public and an inspiration to many, Rama Subba, the Superintendent of Police, Mysore district, who retired on October 30 after serving in his department for 25 years. Rama Subba is in Mysore since 2007.

Are you satisfied with your job in Police Department?
Yes 100%!

What made you opt for Police service?
For some, it is an opportunity. Very few take it up by choice. I took the competitive examination and got an opportunity to join as the DySP. [After securing an M.Sc degree from Mysore University, he joined Dena Bank in Bangalore and served for about 8 years.]

What were the major challenges you faced in your career?
Everyday, everything is a challenge; maintaining law and order, dealing with crime factor etc. Apart from that, degeneration of the system is another major challenge. The society is made up of various classes and there is a gradual change taking place.

Among the cases that you handled, which is the most memorable one?
Rama Subba recalled those milestones in his career and the list was a long one. He started with the investigation into robbery and dacoity cases, inter - State highway robbery near Challakere, where the robbers were from UP, house burglary cases in Mysore and Bangalore in 1992 where his team was successful in catching one of the gang members red - handed, and through him caught the whole gang; sandalwood cases in Shimoga, Eidgah Maidan issue in Hubli, election bandobust, disturbance between people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over an actor's issue, Babri Masjid case and many more.

Rama Subba has been successful in winning the hearts of the public by maintaining good public relation and also good relation with other departments as well as with his subordinates which he considers as his personal achievement which, in fact, is essential for being qualified as a successful and respected officer.

Any regrets for not having done something that you intended to do?
No, I have accomplished my goals. But I strongly feel that the morale of the department should be raised as its public image is poor. The Police - population ratio is not proper.

Police is required to be present during festivals or to provide protection for politicians and in this process; the main duties of the Police are ignored. This widens the gap between public and Police.

One of the major issues in Police Department is low salary.

Small incentives should be granted to the Police Department. During the time of election, the whole Revenue Department draws an extra payment of one month's salary but the same is not given to the Police. We are fighting against the disparities.

About political interference, he earnestly said that he has never experienced any sort of political interference through - out his career. "Our objective is not to confront any politician. I am here to do my duty willingly and not by force. Both of us are public servants functioning in our own ways."

What about the loopholes in the system?
Lack of work culture is a major problem. If every Policeman sincerely does his duty even for four hours a day, no file will remain pending.

What profession would you choose if you were given another chance to relive your life?
My first choice will always be to work in Police Department in the Executive post, as it gives me an opportunity to solve people's problems and authority to take decisions.

We are very well aware of the fact that the life of a Police officer is not an easy one. Not just his life is at stake, but his family is also under risk. In such a situation, Rama Subba has always preferred staying with his family no matter where he was transferred. When his son was in SSLC, he had to shift to eight different schools.

In a very humorous way, he mentions about his first letter to his wife which he wrote after marriage. He wrote just three words, no it wasn't "I love you," it was "Don't believe me!" Rama Subba explained as to why he had to do so. His job is so uncertain that he cannot assure anything. He is committed to his duty first. It must not have been easy to maintain balance between his professional and personal life. But Rama Subba has managed it really well, and done justice to his duty as a Police officer, a husband and a father. Recently he got his daughter and son married and completed another duty of being a responsible parent.

After retirement, he will settle in Bangalore. He promises to be active even after retirement as he believes that it is a waste of precious time to stay idle.

Do you have any message to the public?
People should be more careful and honest. If every person is careful in performing day – to - day activities such as driving carefully, locking their houses properly, investing in the right places etc., it would reduce crime rate significantly.

Another problem with people is that they are into the habit of exaggerating facts which makes the task of Police to find out the truth even more difficult. If people become factual and honest, most of the cases can be solved in a much easier way. For instance, if a person loses one gold chain and claims to have lost four, how can the Police find something that is not stolen at all?

The society is grateful to Rama Subba for having done his duty with dedication and sincerity. We hope that he will continue guiding the public in some other form. We wish him a happy and fruitful retired life.

By Poornima G. Belamkar
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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