A 1975-batch Indian Police Service officer, Gupta has replaced Y S Dadwal, who has now been transferred to Sashastra Seema Bal as its director general. As he entered his new office, Gupta noted he said that he was "not new to the Delhi police" and hugged Dadwal and congratulated him for the successful conduct of the Commonwealth Games on the security front. "May God bless you. All the best," he told Dadwal.
The former director general of Tihar jail, Gupta was accorded a guard of honour on his arrival at the police headquarters and escorted to the commissioner's office where Dadwal handed over charge. Dadwal was then given a send-off by Gupta, who wished his predecessor "good luck".
Keeping in line with tradition, senior officials tugged back the car of Dadwal as he left the headquarters. Outlining his priorities, Gupta said the old style of policing should now give way to a "new culture" of policing in which public can approach police not only for matters related to crimes. "We get more funds than earlier. There is a need for a new culture. Police should be friendly with the public and they can approach police for anything," he told mediapersons after a brief meeting with top officials.
Sending a tough message to non-performers, Gupta told officers that "performers will shine and non-performers will perish" under his regime. The new commissioner has already has formulated parameters to assess the station house officer and those to review assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners would be ready in a couple of days.
"There will be zero tolerance to complacency and illegal activities of my officers. If you are a performer then there is no limit for your term. But if somebody is found involved in illegal activities like land grabbing, they will be in the post for not more than ten days," he said.
For non-performers, Gupta said, he may give them "one or two chances", but after that they will be moved out of their current posting. Another focus will be making police stations women friendly, he said noting that there will be more women personnel at police stations near Delhi University.
Gupta also said he would revamp the anti-terror wing's special cell and crime branch, his "two passions". "Both these wings will get the best officers, best investigators. These wings are going to get a revamp," he added.
