Geetanjali Khandelwal Assumes Charge as Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh

The Voice of Chandigarh :

Geetanjali Khandelwal, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 2015 batch, assumed office as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) of Chandigarh on Friday. Prior to this, she served as the SP of North and Middle Andaman Districts, where she led the police force for an impressive tenure of 2.5 years.

Her visionary leadership, commitment to duty, and dedication to work earned her the prestigious LG Commendation Award. Additionally, she was honoured with the ‘FICCI Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Smuggling Awards 2023-24’ as the Best Performing Officer for her leadership in anti-poaching efforts in North & Middle Andaman.

Key Achievements in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

1. Anti-Poaching Operations:
   Under her leadership, the North & Middle Andaman Police conducted extensive anti-poaching operations to safeguard the district’s rich marine biodiversity. These operations primarily focused on curbing the illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers—highly valued in international markets—and addressing the issue of foreign poachers entering Indian waters through illicit means.
2. ISO 9001:2015 Certification:
   A significant milestone during her tenure was the achievement of ISO 9001:2015 certification for all police stations in the district. This recognition reflected the force’s commitment to maintaining high-quality policing standards, providing efficient services, and ensuring public accountability.
3. Community Policing and Awards:
   Mrs. Khandelwal was honoured with the FICCI Award for her innovative and inclusive approach to community policing. Her initiatives focused on youth empowerment, crime prevention, and fostering strong community connections.
4. Combating Cow Smuggling:
   Recognizing the high cattle population in the region, she developed a robust intelligence network that successfully dismantled a major cow smuggling racket.
5. Youth Initiatives:
   Mrs. Khandelwal launched several youth-oriented programs such as “Jagriti” and “Disha,” providing career guidance and mentorship to empower the region’s youth to achieve their goals.
6. Strengthening Community Relations:
   As SP, she spearheaded various programs aimed at improving trust and cooperation between the police and the public. Her efforts led to a stronger sense of shared responsibility and support within the community.

In addition to her role as SP of North and Middle Andaman, Mrs. Khandelwal also served as the Superintendent of Police (Anti-Corruption) in Port Blair.

Early Career and Military Service

Before embarking on her successful IPS career, Khandelwal served as a Captain in the Indian Army. After undergoing rigorous training at the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai, she was commissioned as a Short Service Commissioned Officer. She began her military journey as a Lieutenant and served in the challenging terrains of Leh, Kargil, and Drass sectors. Her five-year tenure in the Indian Army was marked by her dedication and exceptional service in some of the most demanding regions of the country.

Driven by her aspiration for public service, Khandelwal cracked the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and joined the IPS in 2015. She was allotted the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, where her exceptional skills and leadership continued to shine.

Vision for Chandigarh

With her distinguished career in both the Indian Army and Indian Police Service, Geetanjali Khandelwal brings a wealth of experience and a legacy of impactful leadership to her new role as SP of Chandigarh. Her extensive background in tackling a diverse range of challenges—from community policing to operational efficiency—positions her to further strengthen the city’s law enforcement framework. Her people-centric approach and leadership promise to foster a progressive and inclusive future for the police-public relationship in Chandigarh.