Outgoing Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey on Thursday penned a heartfelt note of farewell to his colleagues as well as citizens, hours before he was given a formal send off by his brothers in uniform.
Pandey was appointed as the city’s top cop in March this year and retired from the force on Thursday. He will be succeeded by 1989 batch IPS officer Vivek Phansalkar, who assumed charge of the post on Thursday afternoon.
Known for being active on social media, Pandey took to Facebook on Thursday and posted a note of thanks in Marathi.
“There was a lot of effort to serve you during this period, but due to the short duration, some things remained. If the officers and constables who protect the people are in disarray, they will not be able to solve the problems of the people. So I constantly tried to solve your problems. At least, the doors of my office were opened to the general constabulary to create the belief that at least your words reach the superiors. So many personal problems were solved. It has been my endeavor to ensure that the working hours of women and police personnel as a whole should be limited to eight hours, the issue of their promotion should be resolved, and officers and personnel should face the issues of the people with a sense of confidence,” Pandey said in his note.
He acknowledged that not all the issues that he wanted to solve have been solved.
“Of course, due to the short duration, I have not been able to do justice to many questions and issues, I am aware of that and I am worried about it. I am aware that the issue of 20 days casual leave as well as the issue of revoking the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police remained unresolved. At the same time, it is hoped that these questions will be resolved in the future,” said Pandey.
The former top cop was known to hold regular Facebook Live sessions, where he spoke about pressing issues and their possible solutions. He had also given out his personal number on Twitter, asking citizens to text him at any time of the night or day with any problems that they might have. Officers who served under Pandey said that he would forward every message to the concerned officer and also seek an update from them within a day.
“My main goal was to be transparent. It was and is my feeling that the common man should feel his support without any fear or apprehension while climbing the steps of the police station. We will all continue to work with the same spirit in the future and so on. It is believed that there will always be an atmosphere of peace and order in Mumbai and Maharashtra, which are world famous. As the Commissioner of Police, I have the opportunity to lead an efficient police force. I have a feeling of gratitude towards you as well as the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Jay Hind !!!” Pandey concluded.
