Crime, Grime and Gumption

O.P. Singh had his first brush with law at an early age— soon after losing his father, the house he and his mother were staying in, alone, was burgled. The young boy was determined to take the matter to the police but was met with the apathy of the officers stationed in the small town. That event left its mark.

Today, Singh has had an illustrious career of thirty-seven years, one marked by unwavering diligence and concern for the office— an attitude that could not be more different from those police officers he came across all those years ago.

A 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre, Singh’ s tenure as a civil servant has spanned positions not just in various districts of UP but significant roles heading central government services, such as the Central Industrial Security Force and the National Disaster Response Force. His command witnessed the successful handling of several sensitive events, including tackling insurgency in the Lakhimpur Kheri regions, supervising the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, maintaining law and order during the Ayodhya verdict and ensuring a smooth Kumbh Mela in 2019. Under his leadership, the Commissionerate system was established in Lucknow and Noida and Indian aid teams conducted relief operations in the 2015 Nepal earthquake. All in all, Singh’ s journey has been marked by a concern for the people— whether the men under him or the citizens he served.

Crime, Grime and Gumption is a gritty account of field operations and encounters with militancy but equally a tale of everyday law enforcement and the ins and outs of a career devoted to policing for the people.

Former Indian Police Service officer O.P. Singh, a recipient of the President’ s Police Medal for Distinguished Services and Police Medal for Gallantry, has held significant roles in sensitive districts of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and in various organizations within the Government of India. In his capacity as the state police chief of UP, he is recognized for his role in introducing the police Commissionerate system in Lucknow and Noida.


Known for his innovative approach to law enforcement, he also led Indian response teams from the National Disaster Response Force in rescue operations during 2015 Nepal Earthquake. After retirement, Singh is on advisory assignments to various institutions and serves as independent external monitor for Oil India Ltd, Cochin Shipyard Ltd and Department of Post. Currently, he is the CEO in India Child Protection Fund, an organization involved in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.


Besides reading, he enjoys music, travelling and mentoring young aspirants for civil services.

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