Bengaluru: Senior IPS officer Dr. M.A. Saleem has been assigned additional responsibilities as the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP) for Karnataka. Until now, he was serving as the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), overseeing Special Units and Economic Offences.
A 1993-batch IPS officer, Dr. Saleem officially took charge following the retirement of his predecessor, Alok Mohan, on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after assuming office, Dr. Saleem stated that his priorities include enhancing transparency in police operations and adopting a victim-first approach in criminal investigations. He also emphasized tackling cybercrime, improving road traffic systems for safety and efficiency, and encouraging community involvement in policing. Additional goals include proactive social media monitoring to curb misinformation, countering anti-national activities, and eradicating rowdy elements.
Hailing from Chikkabanavara, Bengaluru, Dr. Saleem completed his Master of Commerce at Bangalore University (1987–89) and later earned a postgraduate degree in Police Administration from Osmania University. He began his professional journey as a commercial tax inspector before qualifying for the Indian Police Service in 1993 under the Karnataka cadre.
Dr. Saleem’s career includes key roles such as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Kalaburagi, Commissioner of Police in Mysuru, and Special Commissioner (Traffic) in Bengaluru. He also served as the head of the now-dissolved Anti-Corruption Bureau. As DGP (CID), he led investigations into several high-profile cases. Known for his innovative policing methods, he introduced helplines for vulnerable groups and restructured Bengaluru’s traffic system, including implementing one-way roads across 122 routes.
Dr. Saleem has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service (2009), the Distinguished Service Medal (2017), and a commendation from the Bureau of Police Research and Development in 2021.