Udupi: Udupi district police emerged as the overall champions at the 8th Western Zone Police Duty Meet, securing the highest number of medals at the event held at the Dr TMA Pai Auditorium, MAHE, Manipal.
The valedictory ceremony of the three-day meet was held on September 1, with Western Zone Inspector General of Police (DIG) Chetan R, IPS, presiding over the programme.
Competitions held in 20 categories
The police duty meet commenced on August 31 and featured competitions across 20 categories, testing the skills and professional abilities of police personnel.
The competitions included eight categories related to scientific aids to investigation, three in computer proficiency, photography and videography, four categories involving the detection of explosive activities and three categories related to the police dog squad.
Skilled police officers and personnel from Mangaluru City, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts participated in the various competitions.
Udupi police dog Sniper wins top honour
Udupi district secured the overall championship after recording the highest medal tally.
The Udupi police dog Sniper was adjudged the Best Police Dog at the meet. Its handler, Harish Shetty, also received the honour along with the award-winning canine.
The recognition highlighted the skills and training of the police dog squad and its handlers in assisting police personnel during investigations and operations.
DIG stresses scientific investigation
Addressing the gathering, DIG Chetan R congratulated all the winners and participants for their performance.
He emphasised the importance of police personnel adopting scientific methods of investigation while carrying out their day-to-day duties.
He also stressed the need to improve conviction rates and ensure that victims receive justice through effective and professional investigation.
The DIG wished the winners success in the upcoming state- and national-level competitions and encouraged them to further develop their professional skills.
The special invitees also congratulated the winners and extended their best wishes to the participants representing the Western Zone at higher-level competitions.
Police personnel felicitated
During the valedictory ceremony, Lokesh, a member of the Udupi District Armed Reserve (DAR) police, was felicitated for his achievement at the national level. He had won a medal at the national-level competition last year.
Gaurish A C, nodal officer of the Western Zone Police Duty Meet, was also honoured by the Udupi district police in recognition of his efficient coordination and management of the event.
The meet provided police personnel from the five districts with an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in investigation, technology, forensic techniques, explosive detection and police dog operations.
Dignitaries attend valedictory ceremony
The ceremony was attended by several senior police, forensic and academic officials.
Among those present were Udupi district Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, MAHE Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal, Senior Law Officer of the Mangaluru Zone K Shivaprasad Alva, Deputy Director of the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Mangaluru, Kumari Sujatha K M, and MAHE representatives Dr Anil Bhat and Dr Vinod C Nayak.
Police Inspector Somashankar N welcomed the gathering, while police personnel Shivananada compered the programme.
The Udupi SP delivered the vote of thanks, bringing the 8th Western Zone Police Duty Meet to a close.
The strong performance by Udupi district and the success of its police dog Sniper have added another achievement to the district police’s record, while the event reinforced the importance of specialised skills and scientific approaches in modern policing.