R Sreelekha: Kerala's First Female IPS Officer Steps Into Politics

R Sreelekha, the first woman in Kerala to become an Indian Police Services officer, stepped into politics as a Bharatiya Janata Party member on October 9. The former Director General of Police (DGP) who retired in 2020 asserted that the decision comes as a continued effort to serve people. She told the Indian Express, "I had been an impartial officer in service. But after retirement, based on my experience, I realise this is my best way to serve the people."

Sreelekha added, "I have faith in BJP’s ideologies. I am joining BJP after three-week-long thinking. It was three weeks back that the BJP approached me asking to join the party." The party's president K Surendran said the Sreelekha was a "brave officer" who brought in several reforms to the police. "She had fought for women’s rights in the police force. The untouchability towards BJP is over in Kerala,” he told the media.

Sreelekha's Legacy In IPS

An IPS Officer of 1987, R Sreelekha carved the way for more women in Kerala's police services. Then, in September 2017, the native of Thirivuananthapuram also became the first woman DGP of the state, Indian Express reported. While working with the CBI, she was part of the raid team and earned the nickname of ‘Raid Sreelekha’.

Salutes to R Sreelekha IPS for becoming the first woman to be bestowed with the rank of the director general of police in Kerala. pic.twitter.com/GTe23E75re

— Veneesa Carmel🇮🇳 #WithRG (@VenesaHermijil) September 20, 2017

Interestingly, Sreelekha did not always study or aspire to become a police officer. Instead, she started her career as a lecturer. Then she went on to work with the Reserve Bank. It was after working at the Reserve Bank that she cleared the civil services exams in 1986. Then she served the state as district chief of Thrissur, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta before moving on to the CBI.

In 2005, she became the Inspector General and then moved to head the Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation Ltd. As ADGP, she looked after the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau. The state also honoured her with the President’s Medal for Police in 2013. 

Apart from being a top cop, she has authored nine books in Malayalam. Of these, three are on crime investigation. She was also a Transport Commissioner at one time. During that stint, she brought down fatalities on roads and increased safety parameters. Married to Dr Sethunath, she has a son named Gokul. She has also attended special training at Scotland Yard.