Karnataka: Mangaluru gets new police chief

MANGALURU: Sandeep Patil, a 2004 batch

IPS officer

, assumed charge as the commissioner of

Mangaluru City Police

on Friday.



An officer with vast experience under his belt, countering

drug mafia

and ensuring smooth conduct of the upcoming

Lok Sabha elections

will be his priority for the time being, Patil told reporters after a brief chat with outgoing police commissioner

TR Suresh

. Controlling crime rate, curbing traffic menace and ensuring safety of women will be among the other key areas Patil said he will focus on.

Born in Bidar, Patil was raised in Bengaluru City. He has previously served as the superintendent of police in Ballari, Kodagu, Davanagere and Belagavi. He has also rendered service as the SP in the intelligence and as deputy commissioner of police in Bengaluru City and Bengaluru North. Post this, he was promoted as the deputy inspector general of police in

Karnataka State Reserve Police

and City Armed Reserve.

“All the officers in Mangaluru City have done well and I will strive to continue the quality of work. I am also interested in continuing the initiatives such as the phone-in programme carried out by my predecessors,” Patil said.