Bhubaneswar: The passing out parade of the 13th batch of cadet Sub-Inspectors (SIs) was held at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy here on Friday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi graced the event as the chief guest.
A total of 336 newly appointed Sub-Inspectors, including 70 women officers, formally joined the Odisha Police after successfully completing two years of rigorous indoor and outdoor training.
Addressing the passing-out ceremony, the Chief Minister said the occasion was not merely a formal parade but a celebration of dedication, discipline, sacrifice and excellence. “The police uniform represents not just authority but also the constitutional responsibility of serving the society,” he added.
Majhi urged the newly-inducted officers to use the authority vested in them responsibly and ensure justice for vulnerable sections of society. He called upon them to work with the guiding principle of ‘Service and Security’, protecting the innocent while taking firm action against criminals.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need for smart policing to make the police force more effective in tackling modern-day crimes, technology-driven offences and cyber fraud. He said Odisha Police must continuously upgrade its capabilities to keep pace with emerging challenges.
He also highlighted the importance of police modernisation and human resource development for maintaining peace and order and supporting industrial growth in the state.
According to the Chief Minister, altogether 17,794 new posts have been created in the police department during the last two years, while 5,817 posts have been filled. Vehicles and fuel allowances are also being provided to improve the functioning and efficiency of police stations.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to making Odisha a drug-free state by 2029.
Majhi gave three key messages to the newly appointed officers. He asked them to remain completely away from corruption in line with the government’s zero-tolerance policy, maintain the highest standards of discipline in uniformed service, and never misuse their authority.
He further stressed that police officers must ensure that no criminal escapes justice and no innocent person is harassed. Officers, he said, must remain alert, impartial and committed to their constitutional responsibilities.
The Chief Minister also said that Odisha has made significant progress in tackling Maoist and Naxal violence under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Chief Minister felicitated cadets who excelled in different areas of training. P. Nalini Rao, who secured the highest marks, received the Governor’s Medal, trophy and a cash award of Rs 10,000.
Tejaswini Mohantary, Yudhishthir Behera, Laxman Kumar Mahant, Sasmita Khuntia, Niharika Tripathi and Ashutosh Nayak were also presented trophies and awards for their outstanding performance during police training.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Police (DGP) Binaytosh Mishra said police officers must work towards delivering justice to the people. He urged the newly appointed officers to discharge their responsibilities with courage, dedication and integrity despite the challenges associated with police service.
He also stressed the importance of using technology and smart policing systems to combat modern challenges such as cybercrime. Highlighting the achievements of Odisha Police in anti-Naxal operations, the DGP thanked the entire force for its contribution to the state’s success.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director of Biju Patnaik State Police Academy, Anup Kumar Sahu, delivered the welcome address and presented the academy’s annual report.
Senior police officers, indoor and outdoor instructors, parents and family members of the newly-appointed cadets, and media representatives attended the graduation ceremony.