Hyderabad: A soft-spoken, humble man who can be tough when at work – that is how colleagues and friends describe Mr M. Mahendar Reddy, new director-general of police in Telangana.
A native of Krishnapuram village in Khammam district, Mr Reddy completed his schooling at AP Residential School in Sarvail, Nalgonda district. He completed his Intermediate from a residential junior college in Nagarjunasagar and pursued a degree in engineering from the Regional Engineering College (REC), Warangal, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance.
“A keen learner, he always embraced technology and wanted to learn new things. He was a role model for all the students, and was extremely friendly,” recalls Mr K.R.S Sharma who studied with Mr Reddy at the REC between 1980 and 1984.
Additional Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, Mr V.V. Srinivasa Rao will be incharge commissioner of police Hyderabad.
His friends say that Mr Reddy used to tell them about his childhood experiences, and how he used to joyfully assist his parents in the fields.
Mr Reddy has time and again acknowledged the contribution made by his teachers and friends in guiding, supporting and moulding him into what he is today. “It began at the residential school which paved the way for me to become whatever I am today,” he said.
The tough cop is a voracious reader on subjects such as management, policing and administration. His training visits and his understanding of policing and law enforcement in the western countries have helped him develop effective management techniques.
Speaking about his gentle nature, another friend who studied with him at the college in Nagarjunasagar said that Mr Reddy had promised his friends that his behaviour would not change after becoming a police officer, and he has lived up to his promise. “His compassionate nature has brought to the forefront the concept of friendly policing,” he says.
Outgoing DGP Mr Anurag Sharma had been appointed as the adviser to government on internal security.
Every year, Mr Reddy makes it a point to attend the alumni meet of his former school. “His helping nature won him many friends in all fields and helped him maintain cordial relations with everyone. I remember the days when he stayed at a room in Nallakunta, alone, and prepared for the UPSC examination,” recalled Dr K. Veera Nandi, the assistant director of animal husbandry and a schoolmate of Mr Reddy.
Mr Reddy joined Indian Police Service in 1986 and served in the districts of Karimnagar, Guntur, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kurnool and Hyderabad city in various capacities.
He served as the deputy director of the SVP National Police Academy, Hyderabad, the commissioner of police of Cyberabad, inspector-general of intelligence, AP, chief of intelligence, AP, chief of Greyhounds and additional DGP of intelligence. Mr Reddy is confident that when he retires, he will leave behind a police force which will work in perfect sync with the public.
