From Classrooms and Farms to Khaki: Diverse Cohort of 112 Probationary Officers Steps Into Policing

Hyderabad: The 112 probationary officers who took their first steps towards a life in policing on Monday came from different walks of life, ranging from agriculture and business to police.

For Dr Neha Agarwal, who won four awards at the Police Academy, has previously bagged gold medals in LLB at Osmania University and LLM in Nalsar University and was the batch topper in PhD in law.

“I previously worked as an assistant professor of law at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, a senior researcher in law at Osmania University, and a senior teaching consultant for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Of the students I mentored, 21 were selected in the recently announced Group-I selections, including five probationary DSPs. I then helped my students prepare for competitive examinations. Now, the selected candidates are my batchmates,” Neha told Deccan Chronicle.

Though she is the oldest woman probationer in the batch, Agarwal said she did not feel insecure or disadvantaged. “I have all this experience now. Being a woman, I can listen closely to women's issues. I have studied law, and when I am posted in a city or district, I can enforce it factually. My gold medals are not going to go to waste,” she said.

She was seen hugging her mother, brother and sister-in-law, crediting her family for standing by her.

For Shailesh Puna, 27, a native of Medak, the next phase of training is an opportunity to prepare for emerging crime trends. “My interests are in the NDPS Act and artificial intelligence. We can see how the world is increasingly depending on AI, and I want to develop expertise in it by the time I take up a posting,” he said. Shailesh completed his graduation in political science and international relations.

Shantan Reddy, son of Malkajgiri Special Branch ACP Ravinder Reddy, also has his sights set on emerging crime trends. His father watched proudly as his son completed probationary training, adding another milestone to a family that includes a wife and a daughter working in the technology sector.

“My interests are cybercrime and drugs. I have seen conventional methods of crime, but the crimes of the future will increasingly involve cybercrime and drugs. I want to excel in these areas while focusing on the next six months of training,” Shantan Reddy said. He had reached the UPSC Mains stage twice before appearing for the DSP selection process. He also served on the ground during Ganesh immersion duties in the Golconda zone.

S. Rani of Mothinagar was seen kissing her daughter, who had stayed at the academy premises during the training period. Her husband chuckled that she had left their daughter's responsibilities to him, but said he was proud of his wife for clearing the competitive selection process. Seeing her in uniform, he said, was especially meaningful to him.

For Nanavath Dasarath, 25, the achievement was also a moment of pride for his community. His mother, Rajamma, said the family depended on agriculture in Devarakonda and that she ensured her son spent his time studying rather than working in the fields.

“I made sure he concentrated on his studies and never let him work in agriculture. He was always interested in studying. Seeing him become an officer makes me proud. It is a moment of pride for our community,” she said.