IPS Suraj Gunjal at the office of the Director General of Police, Maharashtra Police Headquarters. (Picture: Instagram)
The 2021-batch Indian Police Service officer Suraj Gunjal wanted to put on the khaki since he was in the seventh standard. He developed a strong penchant to be ‘the-man-in-uniform’ after seeing two senior police officers who have now left an indelible mark on the entire police force.
He firmly believes IPS Vishwas Nangare Patil and IPS Krishna Prakash, their persona and style of working all have been etched in the hearts and minds of people in Maharashtra. And that he was also not left unaffected by their repute. This is why they are his role models, he explains.
Gunjal adds his becoming an IPS officer was not something that happened by chance or fate but for him it was a dream he saw when he was in school. And that he worked hard to turn the dream into reality.
“It was my dream since seventh standard. I saw Vishwas Nangare Patil and Krishna Prakash Sir work in my district as SP. I wanted to be like them”, IPS Suraj Gunjal
When asked how only seeing some police officers can be an inspiration for the young aspirants of the civil services, Gunjal said, “Once you see (them) then you imagine yourself like them. Then you try to find out how to become like them. You get information. You join the classes. You get trained. You take the guidance.”
He cleared the coveted civil services, one of the toughest examinations in the world, in first attempt and bagged an All- India Rank of 353. Gunjal has done B.E in Civil Engineering. He comes from Ahmednagar district, where Nangare Patil and Prakash served as Superintendent of Police in their early days in the police department.
After clearing the UPSC exam with higher ranks in 2021, Gunjal underwent extensive training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad for almost two years and then in September 2023 was given the responsibility of Akot Police Station in Akola as the Probationary Assistant Superintendet of Police.
Gunjal has got his first posting in the textile of Malegaon where he assumed the office on December 18, 2023. As an Assistant SP, he has been given the charge of SDPO Malegaon Camp and SDPO Malegaon City, Sub-Divisions.
This is just a short introduction. A detailed interview may follow this.
