Meet Delhi’s only woman Station House officer: ‘Police’s attitude has changed but we need more women cops’

“There are five to six places that become deserted at night and vulnerable to crimes. I keep a tab on these areas round the clock,” says Sharma.

As the police station is located in a university area, many of the complaints are about cases of molestation and stalking. Often, the complainants approach her directly, instead of reporting the crime to the police control room.

“When we receive such a complaint, we first try to make the complainant comfortable, then we start the investigation,” she says.
Sharma believes that in the wake of the furore triggered by the December 16 gangrape, the attitude of male police officials towards woman complainants has changed. However, she adds that there is a dire need for more woman officials in the Delhi Police.

“Officials have become more sensitised towards the complainant, whether it is a woman, child or senior citizen…The behaviour of male officials has changed in the past few years…,” says Sharma.

During her stint in the Crime Branch, a team led by her managed to nab a wanted accused with a lengthy criminal record, in West Delhi’s Janakpuri.

During the operation, the accused opened fire at her team and a head constable was shot in the hand.

For Sharma’s leadership in the operation, her name has been recommended for a gallantry award.

In 2010, a team led by her busted a case of robbery and murder in Saraswati Vihar in north-west Delhi.

The ten accused arrested by her team were later found guilty in court.