Amid ongoing race to the coveted post of DGP Uttarakhand, an interesting ‘contest’ is on for the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the police headquarters. Some inspectors, who eye the post, have started attending the ‘durbar’ of the IPS officers whose names are doing round for the post of DGP.
According to sources, four inspectors are interested to grab the post of PRO. One of them started his efforts around two months back. He visited the police headquarters several times during past two months. He also met the senior officers and tried to set his equation for the post.
Recently, the inspector visited the senior IPS officer, front runner for the post of DGP. He also met some other senior IPS officers. He is so interested for the post that he also in touch with a senior political leader. He is presently posted out of the State Capital.
Three of his counterparts have taken to different strategy. They have started attending ‘durbar’ of the IPS officers in the race for the DGP. The source said that the Inspectors are keeping an eye on every development at the police headquarters.
All the four are busy lot nowadays. Apart from doing their duty, they have to think of setting the equations for the post of PRO. “They are also in touch with the police officers, considered closed to the IPS officers in race for the post of DGP, in order to set their equations,” a source remarked. He said, “This is a race for the post of PRO.”
If source is to be believed, none of the trio ever served as PRO. However, they boast of their capabilities. “Handling media is not an easy task. But one of the contenders for the post recently made tall claims about his competence before his colleagues. He told them that he is capable of handling the media efficiently,” the source added.
Moreover, an inspector, who is expert in handling the media, has expressed interest in going back to the wing from where he came on deputation to the DGP office few years back. The inspector is equipped with vast experience in handling the media and public relation.
A source said, “The interested candidates for the post of PRO would have to wait for more than three weeks as the picture will be clear only in the last week of September when the State Government is about to announce the new State police chief. The name of new police chief might be announced on September 30.”
The source remarked, “The interested candidates would have to wait for 20 days. The duration is enough for ‘preparation to qualify’ for the post.” It is almost confirmed that the police headquarters would get new PRO soon after appointment of the DGP. At present, there are six inspectors posted at the police headquarters.