Thiruvananthapuram: Outgoing Kerala Police Chief Dr Sheikh Darvesh Sahib on Monday urged police personnel to treat complainants with respect and reminded them that the uniform is temporary.

He was addressing officers during his farewell parade held at the SAP Parade Ground in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday morning.

Sahib expressed gratitude to colleagues and the public, describing the Kerala Police as an excellent force that has consistently received central government recognition. Even without it, one must uphold a strong sense of duty, he said.

He pointed out that the Ministry of External Affairs had ranked Kerala Police first in passport verification. Officers across ranks—from civil police to senior leadership—are highly qualified and committed to service, he noted.

Meanwhile, the formal send-off for Dr Sahib has been scheduled for 12 noon at the Police Headquarters.

Over three decades of policing across Kerala

Dr Sahib’s service in the Indian Police Service (IPS) began in 1991 under the Kerala cadre. He served as State Police Chief from June 30, 2023, until his retirement on Monday.

Prior to this top post, he was Director General of Fire and Rescue Services. He started his policing career as ASP in Nedumangad and went on to serve as SP in Wayanad, Kasaragod, Kannur, Palakkad, and the State Special Branch. He also held roles as Commandant of the Malabar Special Police and the Second Battalion of Kerala Armed Police.

As Inspector General, he worked in the Security Wing of the State Special Branch, Police Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram Range, Thrissur Range, and Armed Police Battalion. He also served as Additional Excise Commissioner and Director of the Kerala Police Academy.

Following his promotion to ADGP, he held responsibilities in the Police Headquarters, Vigilance, Crime Branch, Northern Zone, and Law and Order. He also served as Head of Prisons and returned as Director of the Kerala Police Academy.

A native of Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh, Sahib earned an M.Sc. from SV Agriculture College in Hyderabad, a PhD in Agronomy from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute in New Delhi, and an MBA in Finance from IGNOU.

His exemplary service was recognised with the President’s Police Medal in 2016 and the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2007. He also received the Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak and the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal.