Becoming the first woman police commissioner in Uttar Pradesh is no small feat. But for IPS Laxmi Singh, the first female police commissioner in the state, it was never about being a woman; it was about being an IPS officer who meant business. Through years of grit, resilience, and an unshakable sense of responsibility, she carved a path not only for herself but for countless women who aspire to break out of societal bubbles and stand tall in their chosen fields.

“I don’t regret my choices”

Juggling professional commitments and family life is a balancing act that many working women grapple with. IPS Laxmi Singh understands the weight of guilt that often comes with compromising one for the other.

“If you sacrifice on your family time, you feel guilty towards your family, your spouse, and your children. If you are compromising on your professional commitments… you feel guilty towards your profession also,” she shares candidly. But her philosophy is simple yet profound: own your choices.

“The day you stop regretting your choices, you are happy in your own space,” she adds with conviction. This mindset has helped her maintain a healthy frame of mind while navigating the complexities of her career and personal life. When Bani asked Laxmi Singh how she manages to balance such high-pressure responsibilities, her answer reflected immense clarity. “You have to be mentally at peace with the choices you make,” she reiterated.

“I never crib…”

When passion drives your profession, complaints take a backseat. Recalling the demanding nature of her work, IPS Laxmi Singh mentions days spent in the field without basic amenities. “There have been days where I have not returned home… without taking a bath or eating anything, we have worked in the field,” she says. Yet, she never complained.

“Why? Because coming to this job was my choice. I do not regret my choices,” she explains. This resilience is the backbone of her leadership, inspiring others to embrace their paths without remorse.

“India needs victim-centric policing”

In a field where policing is often incident-centric, IPS Laxmi Singh advocates for a shift towards empathy and sensitivity. Having witnessed heinous crimes against young children, she realised the need to go beyond arrests.

“Our policing is unfortunately incident-centric… We have not been able to do victim-centric policing to date, which is needed today,” she asserts. Recognising the trauma victims endure, she took the initiative to introduce counselling when none existed within government structures.

“If you are not able to solve the trauma of the victim, then your policing is incomplete,” she says passionately. Her approach redefines policing by prioritising healing alongside justice.

‘You are not a woman…”

As the first woman in her position, earning respect in a male-dominated environment was not without challenges. When Bani asked whether her juniors ever hesitated in reporting to a female IPS officer, Laxmi Singh admitted. “There was this kind of reticence… They used to hesitate while speaking face-to-face.” But respect, she believes, is earned by action, not gender.

“You have to show them by your actions that you are not a woman. You are a police officer… They have to report to you as they have been reporting to other IPS officers,” she states firmly. Leading from the front, especially in crises, cemented her reputation.

“If you are not leaving… if you are not hiding… and if you are leading them from the front, they will stick to you like glue,” she reflects. Her unwavering courage turned initial hesitation into lifelong loyalty. Over time, respect blossomed into familial affection. She fondly remembers the small gestures of her team during difficult times. “They would say… ‘You haven’t eaten anything all day, have a banana or some fruit,'” she recalls.

Watch the full episode with IPS Laxmi Singh here.

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