The Appointment of R. Chethan, a 2010-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Karnataka cadre, as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Western Range, Mangaluru, brings an officer with extensive district, specialised and community-policing experience to one of Karnataka's important policing regions.
Chethan has built his career through assignments across several districts and specialised police units, including postings as Superintendent of Police in Mysuru, Ballari, Davangere and Chikkamagaluru. He has also headed the Coastal Security Police and the Anti-Naxal Force, apart from serving as Police Commissioner of Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi) City.
A career across different policing environments
Chethan's postings have taken him through markedly different policing environments—from district policing in central and northern Karnataka to specialised assignments involving coastal security and anti-Naxal operations.
His tenure as SP, Coastal Security Police, is particularly relevant to his latest assignment in Mangaluru. The Western Range includes the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, along with Chikkamagaluru, making familiarity with coastal security and the region's policing requirements an important part of the new responsibility. His earlier experience with the Anti-Naxal Force has also given him exposure to specialised security operations and policing in challenging terrain.
Focus on community-oriented policing
Beyond conventional law enforcement, Chethan's service record includes initiatives aimed at strengthening the connection between the police and the community. During his tenure in Ballari, the Abhaya initiative focused on the safety and support of senior citizens, reflecting an approach that sought to address the security concerns of vulnerable sections of society.
In Gulbarga City, the Suraksha forum was associated with tenant verification and neighbourhood security, an effort aimed at improving information-sharing and helping the police maintain better awareness of people residing within their jurisdiction.
These initiatives point to an emphasis on preventive policing and community participation alongside conventional enforcement.
Enforcement of public-health laws
Chethan has also been associated with enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) during his district-level assignments. Such enforcement involves regulating smoking and tobacco-related activities in public spaces and implementing statutory restrictions designed to protect public health.
What the Western Range assignment brings
As Western Range DIG, Chethan will take charge of a geographically diverse policing jurisdiction covering important coastal and interior districts. The assignment will involve coordination with district police leadership on law and order, crime prevention, public safety, coastal security and inter-district policing.
His previous experience across district policing, specialised forces, coastal security and community initiatives gives him a broad administrative background as he takes on the Western Range responsibility. Chethan succeeds Amit Singh, who has been transferred and posted as Inspector General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police.
R Chethan IPS At A Glance
| Officer: | R. Chethan |
| Service: | Indian Police Service |
| Batch: | 2010 |
| Cadre: | Karnataka |
| New Posting (29.8.2026): | DIG, Western Range, Mangaluru |
| Key Earlier Role: | SP, Coastal Security Police |
| Other Specialised Role: | SP, Anti-Naxal Force |
| Commissioner Role: | Police Commissioner, Gulbarga City |
| District SP Postings: | Mysuru, Ballari, Davangere, Chikkamagaluru |
| Community Initiatives: | Abhaya, Suraksha |
| Key Enforcement Focus: | COTPA and public-health compliance |
Source- Deccan Chronicle, cafe-social, The Hans India
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