Dr. M. A. Saleem’s illustrious career in the Indian Police Service (IPS) began in 1993, following his selection through the All India Civil Service Examination. His tenure with the Karnataka State Police has been marked by versatility and excellence, serving in 26 various capacities across the state. His roles have ranged from Superintendent of Police in districts like Udupi and Hassan to more senior positions such as Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range, Commissioner of Police in Mysore City and Special Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru. He has headed Anti-Corruption Bureau, Crime and Administration wings of Karnataka State Police. Currently, he holds the esteemed position of Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Karnataka, where important and sensational cases get investigated.
Dr. Saleem has contributed immensely towards promoting Community Policing and protection of human rights in Karnataka State. His notable contributions include establishing helplines and support systems for women, children, and the elderly, the inception of the Garuda Police Patrol, the development of a Special Action Force in various districts, and significant advancements in traffic enforcement technology.
Dr. Saleem has pioneered traffic management, introducing numerous innovative practices to enhance road safety and efficiency. His efforts have led to the implementation of one-way systems on 122 roads in Bangalore, Safe Routes to School, Automated Traffic Challaning System, Local Area Traffic Management Plans and citizen participation projects like ‘Public Eye’ for traffic rule enforcement.
Apart from traffic management, investigation of criminal cases has been a passion for Dr. Saleem. He has supervised the following important Special Investigation Teams formed to investigate sensational and grave criminal cases.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate IMA fraud cases wherein 74000 people were cheated.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate multi-crore cryptocurrency hacking cases.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate Hassan multi-sexual harassment cases.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate misappropriation of 94 crores at Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited.
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to enquire into Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment Scam
- Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate sexual harassment and extortion against an MLA.
Dr M A Saleem was decorated with the President’s Police Medal for distinguished services in 2017, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2009, the National Award for e-Governance for exemplary usage of ICT by the Government of India, a commendation disk by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in 2021. He was conferred with prestigious IRTE Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for immense contribution to promote road safety.
Dr Saleem is enthusiastic about reading and often spends a lot of time engaged with books. He has also authored a book on Traffic Management in metropolitan cities and regularly writes articles in leading newspapers and journals on contemporary policing-related issues.
Dr Saleem has a Master of Commerce, Master of Police Management and a Doctorate Degree in Traffic Management from Bangalore University.