More carrot than stick

After improving police performance, changing the attitude of the rank and file, ensuring peaceful elections and taking community policing a step further, Dhananjay Jadhav is most likely to head for the country-side.
The city''s new police commissioner, by his own admission, is a true son of the soil, in love with nature.
Giving PT an exclusive insight into his life, beyond the uniform, commissioner Jadhav comes across as a simple man with simple needs.
At a time when most of the top brass of the state police are busy avoiding the muck that is flying out of the Telgi stamp scam, Jadhav''s unassuming character and philosophy of life may be what is required to boost the city police force''s flagging zeal.
Jadhav does not believe in punishment. Ironic as that view may be for someone in a police uniform, Jadhav says that throughout his career, he has always gotten work done without punishing people.
"Long stints in different places have helped me understand the needs of my force, and they in turn, have understood mine. I never shout or punish; it''s something I do very reluctantly," he says.
Despite the current state of affairs of the state police force, Jadhav has not lost faith in what officers are capable of.
"There''s a lot one can do in government service, especially in a senior position. We are trend-setters who have to lead the force. Any unit or police force can do exceedingly well, provided the number one man in charge means serious business," he says.
And responsibility is something he seeks to take head-on in Pune. Especially when something goes wrong. "The buck should stop at the chief. I am very clear about that. However, I will stand firmly behind my officers who do good work and give them all due credit," he says.
While Jadhav has his view on the good and bad changes Pune has undergone since he was last here, he has his eye firmly on the verdant landscape surrounding the city.
"I come from an agricultural background, which is why I love open fields and nature. Every chance I get, I go back to the quite serenity of the farms in my village, Pusegaon," says the top-cop.
Jadhav is also an amateur photographer, with a penchant for Lata Mangeshkar''s songs.
With four years before his retirement, Jadhav says that he is a family-man who rarely likes to socialise. His greatest source of happiness are his wife Sheela, and his three children.
"My wife is a deeply religious woman and my pillar of strength. We have three extremely bright children Ajay (25), Keerti (24) and Sharvari (20), all of whom are studying in Mumbai. We all share a very mature relationship and dinner-time at home is such an experience," says Jadhav, wistfully.
Jadhav''s family won''t be joining him for a few months. So for the moment, it''s the city that has all the attention of the commissioner.
"We will try to make the citizens feel proud of the Pune police and everything that is necessary to achieve that will be done," he promises.