Through My Eyes: Top cop offers a glimpse into the challenges of men in khaki

Through My Eyes, written by Om Prakash Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, is a collection of stories or rather first-hand accounts of his experiences handling chaos for the right cause to bring outcomes that can set up a maxim for how policing should be done in the country.

Published by Prabhat Prakashan, it offers a glimpse into the challenges of men in khaki who are not always baton-wielding cops but can display empathy while discharging their duties.

The top-cop writes about his account mostly involving vulnerable sections of society where he acts beyond the limitations of time and irrespective of space or jurisdiction to steer his way to just outcomes.

While stationed in Lucknow, Singh addresses numerous challenges faced by the local population. In his memoir, he highlights the injustices endured by those who lack authority over their own legal matters. Moreover, the book significantly discusses issues like honour killings, caste discrimination, militancy, and much more.

In the first chapter, Honour Killing, Singh's feelings seem chaotic about his decision to return a below-18 girl to her father while separating her from her adult lover. As the things unfold, he sounds passively resenting about his legitimate decision to rescue the girl. As she later disappears from the scenes, Singh later gets to know how the same father had chillingly murdered his daughter.

Although he provides a tad different view about his approach as a police officer, his writing reflects his pain for people in distress and an inclination to care of micro incidents when it has been in his capacity.

What makes the book engaging is the raw situations and description of these situations from the person (author) who almost all the time sits in a position of authority and capable of influencing the outcome of these situations up to the end. As good policing is rare in the underdeveloped or developing countries and most of the time people expect minimum from the law enforcement agencies, Singh overrides such a perception by recalling his policing activities.

Singh's book though does not have any investigative nature where things would take exceptional turns with each progress, it keeps you hooked to the smaller and possibly more important aspects of policing. Least to say that Singh has tried to be sincere with his language and tried to explain his stories at stretch. This makes the narration high on graphics and interesting.

The men in khaki would benefit from the book as it harps less about the top cop's authoritative hands on the levers of power and more about the use of power for the public good. For the common reader, it can be a breath of fresh air reinforcing how the good will of a cop can impact several lives. However, for others who believe the Indian policemen are baffle-headed bosses trying to enforce their superiority among powerless people – it is a chance to get a sneak peek into what goes on with a cop functioning under legal limitations while establishing rule of law. By this, they can understand that there are few empathy driven officers who really care for people.

Through My Eyes

Author: OP Singh

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Pages: 216

Price: ₹600

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