Mangaluru: J Arun Chakravarthy, who has been transferred as the IGP (Internal Security), Bengaluru, handed over the charge to Harishekaran. P Harishekaran, a 1996 batch IPS officer, takes charge as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Western Range on Friday.

A 1994 batch Customs and Central Excise officer, Harishekaran had served for Customs in Chennai for two years. Joined the Karnataka cadre as an IPS officer and his first posting was in Bijapur as probationer. Later, he was posted as ASP in Arsikere. His first posting as an SP was in Chamrajnagar and it was a combined posting with the additional charge of SP for the Special Task Force (STF) that was working to nab forest brigand Veerappan.

An athlete and an academically brilliant student who secured a gold medal in History from St Joseph’s College, Trichy, Harishekaran has the experience of serving as SP of Raichur and Tumakuru districts. His posting at Tumakuru was shortly after armed naxalites attacked a KSRP camp in a school at Venkatammanahalli in Pavagada taluk in the district. Later, after serving as a DCP in Bengaluru West, Harishekaran moved to the internal security division, where he served for 3.5 years, and later served as additional commissioner (Law and Order) in Bengaluru before taking charge in Mangaluru. This is his first posting in the region.

With over 20 years of experience on various capacities as IPS officer in Karnataka, Harishekaran believes in team work. "I am so happy that I have got the opportunity to serve as IGP of Western Range, which is considered as a prestigious range in Karnataka Police. I need time to understand the range and major issues here. I will make best use of my team and experience to serve for the range," Harishekaran said.