Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC) Amit Kumar Shaw: From Engineer to Super Cop
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC), Traffic Policing (South) Shri Amit Kumar Shaw, an erudite IPS officer, has shown how hardwork and endurance can transform life for the better.
Amit Kumar Shaw, an IPS officer, is like a character from a movie – tall, handsome, with a determined look, guided by idealism and a sense of duty for the nation. In reality, he is no different. A self-made man, IPS Amit Kumar Shaw has achieved success through hard work and commitment. In his own words, “I come from a middle-class area of Titagarh in Barrackpur. My parents, with limited exposure to education, made it a point to give me the best by other means. They got me admitted to nearby Douglas Memorial School, an English medium institution. I was never the top student, but I always gave my best.”
Preparing for the next level
After finishing school, Amit Kumar Shaw began preparing for the Joint Entrance Exam. He then enrolled at the Heritage College of Engineering, specialising in Information Technology. While in his third year of college, some of his friends encouraged him to pursue a career in civil services. “I believe that good companions can inspire you to make a big difference. I completed my engineering degree and joined Infosys, where I had a typical blue-collar job with a good salary. My parents were happy to see me settled. I moved to Chennai for work, but I felt the need to do something more and pursue my ambitions for the UPSC,” confessed IPS Amit Kumar Shaw candidly.
Leaping – A risk worth taking – The turning point
It is not easy to leave a settled corporate job, but fortune favours the brave. Amit Kumar Shaw left his job to focus completely on preparing for the Civil Services. From Chennai to Titagarh, he was back in the grind. In his first two attempts, he cleared the Preliminary rounds but did not do justice to his talent in the final round. In between, out of the blue, he cracked the WBCS examination and got the job at DSP. But God had different plans! Ultimately, even though he completed the training, he cleared the UPSC and joined the most prestigious job in the country – an IPS Officer in Civil Services. “I joined the training at Mussoorie and it was a completely different experience altogether. From day one, it was clear what the uniform wanted for me. No doubt, it was the best decision of my life to join the Civil Services,” confessed IPS Amit Kumar Shaw.
The beginning of an eventful journey
After completing the mandatory training, IPS Amit Kumar Shaw joined Cooch Behar. He then served as an ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) in the Howrah Commissionerate for two years. During this time, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership, particularly during challenging situations such as Cyclone Amphan and the COVID-19 pandemic. His exemplary performance made him a role model for his colleagues and subordinates. Subsequently, he was assigned as an Additional Superintendent of Police in Malda, a challenging role that he handled with competence and responsibility. Amit Kumar Shaw’s proficiency as an IPS Officer was further evident when he assumed the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Police (South) in the Kolkata Police force.
Tackling the traffic menace scientifically
“Awareness and enforcement are crucial for modern-day traffic policing. It is undeniable that road traffic in this part of southern Kolkata involves various stakeholders such as school students, cyclists, pedestrians, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, as well as buses, taxis, and other modes of transport. Our focus has been on raising awareness among all these stakeholders. For instance, delivery services like Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and others benefit from minimising delivery times, highlighting the importance of awareness and the right attitude towards driving in the busiest and most congested parts of the city,” emphasised Amit Kumar Shaw.
He emphasises on the importance of reducing fatalities. Under his leadership, various awareness programmes have been conducted across different platforms to educate and make stakeholders in the road traffic ecosystem more responsible. Additionally, drivers have undergone special training sessions to be more vigilant about issues such as blind spots while driving.
Technology, the key to success along with strong resource
Kolkata Traffic Police has adopted digital measures to reduce traffic violations and increase prosecution with credible digital evidence. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at various strategic locations to read and digitalise vehicles’ number plates in real-time. Additionally, Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) cameras have been installed to monitor the intersection after the signal has turned red. Increasing the coverage area with more cameras and ensuring the presence of qualified traffic personnel in their designated positions is crucial. Amit Kumar Shaw emphasises the importance of preventing encroachment on the roads to maintain smooth vehicular movement.
The ultimate success mantra
“Patience, focus, note-taking, and revision – this is the simple mantra for civil service aspirants. The sincerity to work makes someone a true professional and an asset to the organisation. At the end of the day, we are serving our country in our capacity, and that itself is the biggest motivation,” signed off Deputy Commissioner of Police, IPS Amit Kumar Shaw.
(As told to Ranabir Bhattacharyya, Team, The Kolkata PROTECTOR)
