Raipur: Bureaucrats India hailed him for his dedication and going extra miles in serving the needy during the trying times of first and second wave of Covid-19. Now the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a prestigious US organization, has chosen him for IACP Award-2021. Yes, we are talking about Santosh Kumar Singh, currently posted as Superintendent of Police (SP), Korea district, Chhattisgarh. He is among 40 cops from six countries who have been chosen for the rare honour!

“It is a big moment not that I have been chosen for IACP Award-2021 but because of the fact that our good works have been recognized, which will continue motivating us to serve the people in the best possible manner and without any biases and prejudices. Policing is all about giving a fear-free atmosphere to all and standing firmly by people in the hour of crisis,” said Singh while talking to Bureaucrats India.

“Most significantly under his command, the Raigarh Police distributed about 1.24 million free facemasks to people in six hours. This created an enormous amount of goodwill throughout the community and even created a world record in its unique category. He was also recognized as among the top 20 public servants in India promoting good governance and innovations during Covid-19 by Bureaucrats India, a Delhi-based organization,” reads the citation further.

“Serving the community, helping and protecting people, doing different things every day, and having a job with prestige and pride motivate me,” said Singh, who has held various policing roles in his career. For three and half years he was posted in difficult districts of Chhattisgarh where left-wing extremism, such as Maoism, a form of armed insurgency against the state, has deep roots. “I dedicate IACP award to my entire team in all districts where I have worked and seniors without whose guidance we would not have been able to serve the people so effectively,” said Singh.

“Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Maoism as India’s biggest internal security challenge, but Santosh worked hard to win the trust of the people through various community policing programs. He was instrumental in neutralizing, arresting, and gaining the surrenders of hundreds of Maoists. He displayed exemplary courage and valour during those difficult assignments and was instrumental in increasing the safety and security of the area,” says the IACP.

It is worth mentioning that under his supervision during his Mahasamund district assignments, he strengthened a program called Child-Friendly Policing. This initiative, in partnership with UNICEF, aimed to bring attitudinal changes in police and empowered children through various training and awareness programs. It significantly reduced crimes against children in the district and changed children’s attitudes toward the police.

He was given the ‘Champions of Change’ award by Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, for this effort. He has also provided self-defense training to thousands of children, decreased crime in all districts where he has commanded, and led from the front in ensuring all of India’s Covid-19-related guidelines were followed, said the IACP.

It is worth mentioning that IACP has police officers as members from 165 countries. Singh has been chosen for the award under ’40 under 40’ category. The other awardees are from the UAE, USA, Canada, Australia and South Korea. Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Amit Kumar has also been selected for the award. The award will be conferred upon them at a special function to be held at IACP headquarters in Texas, US. /BI/