GURUGRAM: Senior IPS officer KK Rao , known as an encounter specialist, took charge as the city police commissioner on Wednesday, replacing Sandeep Khirwar who has been appointed the inspector general of police, Rohtak.A 1996-batch IPS officer, Rao started his career as a trainee deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in the city, and was given the station house officer’s (SHO) charge in Pataudi during his training period.The new police commissioner was born in Bhiwani district’s Dinod village in 1970. He also served in Mewat and Narnaul districts. Rao was conferred police medal in 2013 for his meritorious service.Known for his expertise in cracking criminal cases, the 48-year-old police officer emphasised on speedy disposal of cases after taking charge as the city’s top cop. Before being posted as the Gurugram police commissioner, Rao was IG, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Bhondsi. Rao was inducted as a DSP in the Haryana Police after his father, a former DSP, was gunned down by criminals. His father-in-law was also a retired IAS officer and lived in Gurugram. Rao’s wife is a lecturer in the Government College for Girls, Gurugram.After taking charge as the city police commissioner, Rao said he would focus on reviving and strengthening basic policing across the city. “We need to make some fundamental changes in the way we investigate cases and will have to dispose them at the earliest. I have urged officers to tackle root causes of crimes like snatching and drug peddling,” he said.Rao, according to sources, has already asked police officers to submit the status report of pending cases in respective stations and other wings. “We need to get pending cases cleared. I along with all other officers want to work to ensure quick disposal of cases,” Rao told a meeting.According to senior officials, Rao took umbrage at the fact that police teams issue challans, triggering snarls at several stretches across the city. “He emphasised the need to boost traffic management. According to him, more than penalising motorists, police should act to ensure smooth flow of traffic.”After taking charge, Rao called a meeting of all SHOs, chowki in-charges, crime unit in-charges, traffic inspectors and senior officers. Rao had led an operation to nab a kidnapper who was eliminated during an encounter.The criminal had abducted a senior police officer’s child in 2002. Rao completed his choling and higher studies from Kurukshetra . So far, he has served in 14 districts of the state.Earlier in the day, Rao attended the farewell meeting of outgoing police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar.

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