Anuj Sharma, a 1991-batch IPS officer and alumnus of La Martiniere College in Lucknow, is Calcutta’s new police commissioner.

He replaced Rajeev Kumar on Tuesday.

Sharma, who was Bengal’s additional director-general of police (law and order), took charge at Lalbazar within an hour of a government order declaring the change of guard at the city police headquarters.

Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer, completed his three-year tenure at Lalbazar in the last week of January. His last few weeks as city police chief were marked by a Centre-state tussle over the CBI’s bid to interrogate him in connection with the probe into the deposit default scam.

Kumar’s new assignment is as additional director-general of the CID at Bhabani Bhavan. He had occupied the same chair before being transferred to Calcutta police.

Sources in the state home department said there were several top officers in the race for the post of city police commissioner. Sharma’s experience of serving in Calcutta police and handling other important assignments led to his selection, they said.

“Madam (Mamata) handpicked him for this important assignment. His earlier stint with Calcutta police will be beneficial,” said an official at Nabanna, the state secretariat.

Sharma, 51, had served as deputy commissioner of the eastern suburban division, south division and headquarters at different times. His other important postings include stints as the superintendent of police in South Dinajpur and East Midnapore, deputy inspector-general of the CID (headquarters), inspector-general (north Bengal) , inspector-general (law and order) and additional director-general (CID).

Within a few hours of joining, Sharma said the focus of Calcutta police would be the core areas of policing and ensuring the safety and security of women.

“Calcutta police has very strong tradition of public service. Our focus will remain serving the people. Core areas of policing like anti-crime, traffic, community policing, and especially protection of ladies. Although Calcutta police had been doing this (all along), there may be a need to do some fine-tuning,” he said on Tuesday.

Sources said that during his first meeting with senior officers of the force, Sharma emphasised the need for “metro policing”, which includes quick response to a situation, emphasis on traffic management and maximum visibility of officers from the rank of deputy commissioners and below.

Sources said the new commissioner instructed his officers to be “more cautious and fast” in handling “rumours” of child trafficking. “Mere miking and handing out leaflets are not enough,” a source quoted him as saying.

Anuj Sharma, 51, hails from Uttar Pradesh

Education: A student of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, he did his graduation in economics from Lucknow University before joining the Indian Police Service

Family: Married, father of two sons

Important postings:

DC ESD, DC South, DC Headquarters, SP East Midnapore, SP South Dinajpur, DIG CID (headquarters), IG (North Bengal), IG (law and order), ADG (law and order)

Touch of green: According to sources familiar with his liking for coloured pens, he often picks a “green pen” to sign documents

Gym regular: Can be spotted regularly in a south Calcutta gym

Ear for music: Sharma is a storehouse of old melodies and is often heard telling friends: “You want to locate an old song, just let me know.”