Meet Cop Madhulatha, Hyderabad police's first female station house officer
Madhulatha never dreamed of becoming a police officer. She thought it would be difficult. “But the day I began training, I knew this is what I wanted to do. Since then, I have worked extremely hard for the benefit of the public,” she says.
By Amrutha Kosuru Published on 8 March 2022 4:32 PM IST
Hyderabad: Inspector K. Madhulatha has become the first woman to lead a law and order police station in Hyderabad. The 42-year-old never planned on becoming a police officer. She wanted to become an economist but life had different plans for her. "Now, I am the first woman to take charge as a Station House Officer (SHO) law & order in Hyderabad," she says excitedly.
Madhulatha never dreamed of becoming a police officer. She thought it would be difficult. "But the day I began training, I knew this is what I wanted to do. Since then, I have worked extremely hard for the benefit of the public," she says.
She took charge of Lalaguda station on the occasion of International Women's Day 2022.
"I am extremely happy and the thought of being the first woman SHO in Hyderabad is amazing. I hope to be an example to other women," she says. Madhulatha says she will identify the various problems under the station's purview and provide quick resolutions. "My priority is women's safety amongst other things," she adds.
A 2002-batch officer, Madhulatha is from Telangana's Jagtial district. She has been in the police force for almost 20 years. Throughout her career, Madhulatha has held various posts. She first worked as an SI in the Siddipet district. She was also the first female officer to head the IT corridor women's police station, the first all-women police station set up in 2014.
After being promoted to an inspector in 2012, she worked as an SHO in Saroornagar and the south zone, Hyderabad. Prior to taking up her current role, she was with the Central Investigation Department (CID) for almost three years.
Now, at Lalaguda, she will handle a team of two circle inspectors, six sub-inspectors, seven assistant sub-inspectors, 65 police constables, and 18 home guards.
A mother of two, Madhulatha completed her MA in Economics from Osmania University before joining the force.
In addition to excitement and happiness, Madhulatha also feels incredibly responsible.
When asked about discrimination within the force, she says she faced none. "It's not like how it is shown in movies. I was always supported by my superiors and fellow officers. I was not discriminated on the basis of my gender at any point," she says.
"I hope my role here stands as an example for women out there who want to become police officers. I hope to see more female police officers in the force," she adds.
"11 percent of Hyderabad City Police consists of women officers. Official statistics reveals that, women police personnel given key positions has put a curb on custodial violence. To advance the need to rebalance policing towards a more gender-equitable workforce, top priority will be given to improve facilities like separate toilets & changing rooms, baby feeding rooms, barracks." said C V Anand.
"Role of men officers is important in the movement toward gender parity in policing.Many of the barriers to women in policing are not specific to policing; rather, they are reflective of larger societal issues." he added.
"I am thankful to CP sir for entrusting me with tremendous responsibility. I will work hard to render good service to public, control crime and maintain L&O in my jurisdiction," Madhulatha says.
