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{{Infobox police officer
{{Infobox police officer
|image =A_K_Viswanathan.jpg
|image =A_K_Viswanathan.jpg
|name = A.K. Viswanathan
|name = Dr. A.K. Viswanathan
|department = [[Indian Police Service]]
|department = [[Indian Police Service]]
|rank = [[Police commissioner]]
|rank = [[Police commissioner]]
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| birth_date = July 26, 1964
| birth_date = July 26, 1964
}}
}}
'''AK Viswanathan''' is an [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police Service officer]] (IPS) of the 1990 batch. He has been the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140517/karan-singha-out-ak-viswanathan-is-the-new-chennai-police-commissioner.html |title=Karan Singha out, AK Viswanathan is the new Chennai police commissioner |date=2017-05-14|work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=2018-06-05|language=en}}</ref>
Dr. '''AK Viswanathan''' is an [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police Service officer]] (IPS) of the 1990 batch. He has been the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police since May 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140517/karan-singha-out-ak-viswanathan-is-the-new-chennai-police-commissioner.html |title=Karan Singha out, AK Viswanathan is the new Chennai police commissioner |date=2017-05-14|work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=2018-06-05|language=en}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=January 2019}}
{{BLP unsourced section|date=January 2019}}
Born in Ayyampalayam near Pollachi, in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu, Viswanathan is a third-generation police officer in his family. His wife, Seema Agrawal is an IPS officer and is an ADGP rank officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Born in Ayyampalayam near Pollachi, in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu, Viswanathan is a third-generation police officer in his family. His wife, Seema Agrawal is an IPS officer and is an ADGP rank officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/akviswanathan-is-new-chennai-police-commissioner/article18447169.ece|title=A.K.Viswanathan is Chennai's new Police Commissioner|last=Kumar|first=S. Vijay|date=2017-05-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-02-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


Viswanathan grew up mostly in small towns studying in 11 schools, finally in Government Higher Secondary School, Bhavani, presently in Erode district. He joined B.Sc Chemistry in Presidency College Chennai but dropped out after a year. He pursued a B.A. History and graduated with distinction. Subsequently he studied law in Madras Law College specialising in Insurance Law. After joining IPS he did his Masters in Mercantile law from Annamalai University and Completed his Ph.D in Criminal Law from Madras University.
Viswanathan grew up mostly in small towns studying in 11 schools, finally in Government Higher Secondary School, Bhavani, presently in Erode district. He joined B.Sc Chemistry in Presidency College Chennai but dropped out after a year. He pursued a B.A. History and graduated with distinction. Subsequently he studied law in Madras Law College specialising in Insurance Law. After joining IPS he did his Masters in Mercantile law from Annamalai University and Completed his [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D]] in [[Criminal law|Criminal Law]] from [[University of Madras|Madras University]].


After completing first year of B.L. in Madras Law College, he took a year off and went to New Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exams. He returned and continued the B.L. course and his efforts to get in to the Civil Services. In the 1990 UPSC results, he secured first rank from the state of Tamilnadu and opted for the Indian Police Service. He was allotted to Tamilnadu Cadre.
After completing first year of B.L. in Madras Law College, he took a year off and went to New Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exams. He returned and continued the B.L. course and his efforts to get in to the Civil Services. In the 1990 UPSC results, he secured first rank from the state of Tamilnadu and opted for the Indian Police Service. He was allotted to Tamilnadu Cadre.
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On promotion as the Inspector General of police, he was posted as the Joint Director in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption. Within a short time he was posted as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Chennai City. Within three months of taking the post, there was a police action against lawyers in Madras High Court campus on February 19, 2009. Lengthy legal procedures in the High Court and the Supreme Court followed this episode.
On promotion as the Inspector General of police, he was posted as the Joint Director in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption. Within a short time he was posted as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Chennai City. Within three months of taking the post, there was a police action against lawyers in Madras High Court campus on February 19, 2009. Lengthy legal procedures in the High Court and the Supreme Court followed this episode.


It was during this period that he was transferred and posted as the Joint Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu House. This was to enable him to take over as the officer on special duty (OSD) to the newly appointed Union Cabinet Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers M.K.Azhagiri. Within a month and a half after this, he opted to go back to the Tamilnadu State. This invited an enquiry by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption for possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income. This was challenged in the Madras High Court by Viswanathan. After a detailed enquiry, the DVAC reported the allegations as false and closed the matter.
It was during this period that he was transferred and posted as the Joint Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu House. This was to enable him to take over as the officer on special duty (OSD) to the newly appointed Union Cabinet Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers M.K.Azhagiri. Within a month and a half after this, he opted to go back to the Tamilnadu State. This invited slapping of an enquiry by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption for possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income. This was challenged in the Madras High Court by Viswanathan. After a detailed enquiry, the DVAC reported the allegations as false and closed the matter.


From TN House he was transferred as the Chief of Vigilance and Security in Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited. After a year and half in TNPL Karur, he was posted as the Commissioner of police, Coimbatore City. He held this post three and half years as the longest serving Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City. He took various steps to bring police and people closer and to remove the animosity and distrust for police that people generally got used to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Hindus-Muslims-jointly-attend-peace-meet/articleshow_b2/22244121.cms|title=Hindus, Muslims jointly attend peace meet - The Times of India|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> During his tenure, as per the National Crime Records Bureau data ,crimes reduced four fold in Coimbatore city. Also while the Tamilnadu came first In the recovery of stolen properties in the entire country at 66%, Coimbatore City<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Crime-rate-down-this-year-Top-cop/articleshow/45684930.cms|title=Crime rate down this year: Top cop - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> came first in the state recovering at 88% of the properties stolen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/m5/571940/The-New-Indian-Express-Coimbatore/25082015#page/3/1|title=The New Indian Express-Coimbatore, 25082015 : readwhere|website=epaper.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref>
From TN House he was transferred as the Chief of Vigilance and Security in Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited. After a year and half in TNPL Karur, he was posted as the Commissioner of police, Coimbatore City. He held this post three and half years as the longest serving Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City. He took various steps to bring police and people closer and to remove the animosity and distrust for police that people generally got used to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Hindus-Muslims-jointly-attend-peace-meet/articleshow_b2/22244121.cms|title=Hindus, Muslims jointly attend peace meet - The Times of India|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> During his tenure, as per the National Crime Records Bureau data ,crimes reduced four fold in Coimbatore city. Also while the Tamilnadu came first In the recovery of stolen properties in the entire country at 66%, Coimbatore City<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Crime-rate-down-this-year-Top-cop/articleshow/45684930.cms|title=Crime rate down this year: Top cop - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> came first in the state recovering at 88% of the properties stolen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/m5/571940/The-New-Indian-Express-Coimbatore/25082015#page/3/1|title=The New Indian Express-Coimbatore, 25082015 : readwhere|website=epaper.newindianexpress.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref>


During this stint, he resided in the official residence of the Commissioner of Police.
During this stint, he resided in the official residence of the Commissioner of Police. It was the same residence where his grandfather had worked as an orderly.
[[File:Official residence of the Commissioner of Police.png|thumb|Official residence of the Commissioner of Police]]
[[File:Official residence of the Commissioner of Police.png|thumb|Official residence of the Commissioner of Police]]


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In May 2017, he was posted as the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police. He assumed charge on May 15, 2017. During this tenure, the Greater Chennai Police handled the increasing number of agitations and have ensured peace and order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/080218/chennai-in-filmy-style-cops-round-up-75-gangsters-in-city.html|title=Chennai: In filmy style, cops round up 75 gangsters in city|date=2018-02-08|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> He has also embarked on bringing the Greater Chennai jurisdiction under complete CCTV surveillance under the ‘ Third Eye ‘ programme to prevent Crimes and improve public peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/no-place-to-hide-cctv-cameras-every-50-m-on-citys-roads-in-six-months/articleshow/67068882.cms|title=No place to hide: CCTV cameras every 50 m on city’s roads in six months - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/09/18012803/1088877/Chennai-City-police-ropes-in-Vikram-to-spread-message-.vpf|title=Chennai City police ropes in Vikram to spread message on CCTV surveillance|last=100010509524078|date=2018-09-18|website=dtNext.in|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cctv-coverage-for-entire-city-an-obligation-cop/article24973605.ece|title=CCTV coverage for entire city an obligation: CoP|date=2018-09-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-23|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> During this tenure, as per the NCRB data, Greater Chennai City was declared as the safest metropolitan city in the country for women and children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/tamil-nadu-sees-dip-in-crime-against-women-says-ncrb-k-palaniswami-credits-police-force-3790493.html|title=Tamil Nadu sees dip in crime against women, says NCRB; K Palaniswami credits police force|website=Firstpost|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+chronicle-epaper-deccanch/chennai+ranked+safest+metro+for+women+tamil+nadu+cm-newsid-79724183|title=Chennai ranked safest metro for women: Tamil Nadu CM - Deccan Chronicle|website=DailyHunt|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280618/crime-rate-in-state-has-come-down-says-tamil-nadu-cm.html|title=Crime rate in state has come down, says Tamil Nadu CM|last=Antony|first=Kathelene|date=2018-06-28|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?catid=&newsid=38808|title=Live Chennai: Safest city for women in India - Chennai secures the 1st place,Safest city for women in India,Safest city for women,women crimes,women Safety in Chennai,|last=J.Sampath|website=www.livechennai.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> K-4 Anna Nagar police station was adjudged the fifth best police station in the entire country consisting of 15,555 police stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/anna-nagar-police-station-named-fifth-best-in-country/articleshow/62407488.cms|title=Anna Nagar police station named fifth best in country - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/k4-police-station-is-the-fifth-best-in-india/article22530028.ece|title=K4 Police Station is the fifth best in India|last=Kurian|first=Shiba|date=2018-01-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Tamilnadu also was adjudged as the best state for the maintenance of law and order, by India Today in 2018 for which the contribution of Greater Chennai Police was substantial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.timesgroup.com/olive/apa/timesofindia/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=TOICH/2018/12/16&id=Ar01114&sk=C887BED3&viewMode=text|title=‘Service’ day of police celebrated|website=epaper.timesgroup.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.readwhere.com/read/1907099/The-New-Indian-Express-Chennai/23112018#page/6/1|title=Express Publications The New Indian Express-Chennai epaper dated Fri, 23 Nov 18|website=www.readwhere.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.timesgroup.com/olive/apa/timesofindia/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=TOICH/2018/11/23&id=Ar01502&sk=7983A13A&viewMode=text|title=Effective implementation of schemes helps TN to outperform other states: EPS|website=epaper.timesgroup.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/state-of-states-conclave/story/india-today-state-of-the-states-2018-complete-rankings-1394303-2018-11-22|title=India Today State of the States 2018: Complete rankings|last=DelhiNovember 22|first=IndiaToday in New|last2=November 22|first2=2018UPDATED:|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23|last3=Ist|first3=2018 21:08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/nov/23/tamil-nadu-cm-palaniswami-receives-best-performing-state-award-showcases-governments-achievement-1902003.html|title=Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami receives best-performing state award; showcases government's achievement|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref>
In May 2017, he was posted as the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police. He assumed charge on May 15, 2017. During this tenure, the Greater Chennai Police handled the increasing number of agitations and have ensured peace and order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/080218/chennai-in-filmy-style-cops-round-up-75-gangsters-in-city.html|title=Chennai: In filmy style, cops round up 75 gangsters in city|date=2018-02-08|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> He has also embarked on bringing the Greater Chennai jurisdiction under complete CCTV surveillance under the ‘ Third Eye ‘ programme to prevent Crimes and improve public peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/no-place-to-hide-cctv-cameras-every-50-m-on-citys-roads-in-six-months/articleshow/67068882.cms|title=No place to hide: CCTV cameras every 50 m on city’s roads in six months - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/09/18012803/1088877/Chennai-City-police-ropes-in-Vikram-to-spread-message-.vpf|title=Chennai City police ropes in Vikram to spread message on CCTV surveillance|last=100010509524078|date=2018-09-18|website=dtNext.in|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cctv-coverage-for-entire-city-an-obligation-cop/article24973605.ece|title=CCTV coverage for entire city an obligation: CoP|date=2018-09-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-23|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> During this tenure, as per the NCRB data, Greater Chennai City was declared as the safest metropolitan city in the country for women and children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/tamil-nadu-sees-dip-in-crime-against-women-says-ncrb-k-palaniswami-credits-police-force-3790493.html|title=Tamil Nadu sees dip in crime against women, says NCRB; K Palaniswami credits police force|website=Firstpost|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/deccan+chronicle-epaper-deccanch/chennai+ranked+safest+metro+for+women+tamil+nadu+cm-newsid-79724183|title=Chennai ranked safest metro for women: Tamil Nadu CM - Deccan Chronicle|website=DailyHunt|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280618/crime-rate-in-state-has-come-down-says-tamil-nadu-cm.html|title=Crime rate in state has come down, says Tamil Nadu CM|last=Antony|first=Kathelene|date=2018-06-28|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?catid=&newsid=38808|title=Live Chennai: Safest city for women in India - Chennai secures the 1st place,Safest city for women in India,Safest city for women,women crimes,women Safety in Chennai,|last=J.Sampath|website=www.livechennai.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref> K-4 Anna Nagar police station was adjudged the fifth best police station in the entire country consisting of 15,555 police stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/anna-nagar-police-station-named-fifth-best-in-country/articleshow/62407488.cms|title=Anna Nagar police station named fifth best in country - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/k4-police-station-is-the-fifth-best-in-india/article22530028.ece|title=K4 Police Station is the fifth best in India|last=Kurian|first=Shiba|date=2018-01-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-23|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Tamilnadu also was adjudged as the best state for the maintenance of law and order, by India Today in 2018 for which the contribution of Greater Chennai Police was substantial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.timesgroup.com/olive/apa/timesofindia/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=TOICH/2018/12/16&id=Ar01114&sk=C887BED3&viewMode=text|title=‘Service’ day of police celebrated|website=epaper.timesgroup.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.readwhere.com/read/1907099/The-New-Indian-Express-Chennai/23112018#page/6/1|title=Express Publications The New Indian Express-Chennai epaper dated Fri, 23 Nov 18|website=www.readwhere.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.timesgroup.com/olive/apa/timesofindia/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=TOICH/2018/11/23&id=Ar01502&sk=7983A13A&viewMode=text|title=Effective implementation of schemes helps TN to outperform other states: EPS|website=epaper.timesgroup.com|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/state-of-states-conclave/story/india-today-state-of-the-states-2018-complete-rankings-1394303-2018-11-22|title=India Today State of the States 2018: Complete rankings|last=DelhiNovember 22|first=IndiaToday in New|last2=November 22|first2=2018UPDATED:|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2018-12-23|last3=Ist|first3=2018 21:08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/nov/23/tamil-nadu-cm-palaniswami-receives-best-performing-state-award-showcases-governments-achievement-1902003.html|title=Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami receives best-performing state award; showcases government's achievement|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2018-12-23}}</ref>


== Gifting of Pennycuick Bust to UK ==
⚫
==Awards and recognition==
[[File:Pennycuick Bust Gifted.png|thumb|A bust of Colonel John Pennycuick Gifted by A.K.Viswanathan]]
A white marble bust of Colonel John Pennycuick<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/police-gift-pennycuick-bust-to-uk/articleshow/67564368.cms|title=Police gift Pennycuick bust to UK - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref>, the British Army engineer who sold his property in England to build the [[Mullaperiyar Dam|Mullaperiyar dam]], was gifted to his descendants by Dr Viswanathan. This statue was unveiled at St Peter's Church in Frimley, UK on January 12, 2019 by Indian High Commission Minister A S Rajan.

⚫
== Awards and recognition ==
Viswanathan was the recipient of the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2006<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/aug/15/a-k-viswanathan-seshasai-to-get-presidents-medal-1643271.html|title=A K Viswanathan, Seshasai to get President’s medal|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref>{{cn|date=June 2018}} and the president police medal for Distinguished service in 2017.
Viswanathan was the recipient of the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2006<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/aug/15/a-k-viswanathan-seshasai-to-get-presidents-medal-1643271.html|title=A K Viswanathan, Seshasai to get President’s medal|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref>{{cn|date=June 2018}} and the president police medal for Distinguished service in 2017.


Revision as of 14:15, 23 February 2019

Dr. A.K. Viswanathan
BornJuly 26, 1964
PredecessorKaran Sinha
Police career
DepartmentIndian Police Service
RankPolice commissioner
AwardsPresident's Police Medal for Meritorious Service - 2006 President Police medal for Distinguished service in 2017.

Dr. AK Viswanathan is an Indian Police Service officer (IPS) of the 1990 batch. He has been the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police since May 2017.[1]

Early life and education

Born in Ayyampalayam near Pollachi, in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu, Viswanathan is a third-generation police officer in his family. His wife, Seema Agrawal is an IPS officer and is an ADGP rank officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre.[2]

Viswanathan grew up mostly in small towns studying in 11 schools, finally in Government Higher Secondary School, Bhavani, presently in Erode district. He joined B.Sc Chemistry in Presidency College Chennai but dropped out after a year. He pursued a B.A. History and graduated with distinction. Subsequently he studied law in Madras Law College specialising in Insurance Law. After joining IPS he did his Masters in Mercantile law from Annamalai University and Completed his Ph.D in Criminal Law from Madras University.

After completing first year of B.L. in Madras Law College, he took a year off and went to New Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exams. He returned and continued the B.L. course and his efforts to get in to the Civil Services. In the 1990 UPSC results, he secured first rank from the state of Tamilnadu and opted for the Indian Police Service. He was allotted to Tamilnadu Cadre.

Career

On completion of his training, Viswanathan was posted as the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dharmapuri Sub Division, in Dharmapuri district. On promotion as the Superintendent of Police, he was posted as the Deputy Commissioner of Police Law and Order, Madurai city and further as the Superintendent of Police Madurai Rural District.

After the February 14, 1998 serial bomb blasts in Coimbatore City that resulted in the death of 69 people, Viswanathan was posted as the Superintendent of Police, State Special Branch. He also had a brief stint in the Chennai City Traffic police. This was followed by a stint in the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) as the Superintendent of Police, Anti Corruption Branch, Tamilnadu and, on promotion, as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Special Crime Branch, Southern and Western regions of India. During 2002 he was also holding full additional charge of the Cochin Anti Corruption branch of CBI the looking after the Kerala state.

In 2006, he was posted as the DIG Intelligence Tamil Nadu, and this tenure witnessed the conflict between the Srilankan Army and the fallout in Tamil Nadu. During this time activities of Muslim fundamentalists along with the prosecution of the accused Coimbatore serial bomb blast cases created quite a tension in the state and he played a role in providing intelligence to handle many such issues.

On promotion as the Inspector General of police, he was posted as the Joint Director in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption. Within a short time he was posted as the Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Chennai City. Within three months of taking the post, there was a police action against lawyers in Madras High Court campus on February 19, 2009. Lengthy legal procedures in the High Court and the Supreme Court followed this episode.

It was during this period that he was transferred and posted as the Joint Resident Commissioner, Tamil Nadu House. This was to enable him to take over as the officer on special duty (OSD) to the newly appointed Union Cabinet Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers M.K.Azhagiri. Within a month and a half after this, he opted to go back to the Tamilnadu State. This invited slapping of an enquiry by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption for possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income. This was challenged in the Madras High Court by Viswanathan. After a detailed enquiry, the DVAC reported the allegations as false and closed the matter.

From TN House he was transferred as the Chief of Vigilance and Security in Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited. After a year and half in TNPL Karur, he was posted as the Commissioner of police, Coimbatore City. He held this post three and half years as the longest serving Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City. He took various steps to bring police and people closer and to remove the animosity and distrust for police that people generally got used to.[3] During his tenure, as per the National Crime Records Bureau data ,crimes reduced four fold in Coimbatore city. Also while the Tamilnadu came first In the recovery of stolen properties in the entire country at 66%, Coimbatore City[4] came first in the state recovering at 88% of the properties stolen.[5]

During this stint, he resided in the official residence of the Commissioner of Police. It was the same residence where his grandfather had worked as an orderly.

Official residence of the Commissioner of Police

On promotion as the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in November 2015, he was posted as the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Metro Transport Corporation. After a week, he was made the ADGP Home Guards, Tamilnadu, where he served for about a year and a half. During the massive floods of Chennai in December 2015, he organized the Home Guards and volunteers, prepared foods and fed about 2 lakh people affected by floods.[6][7]

In May 2017, he was posted as the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police. He assumed charge on May 15, 2017. During this tenure, the Greater Chennai Police handled the increasing number of agitations and have ensured peace and order.[8] He has also embarked on bringing the Greater Chennai jurisdiction under complete CCTV surveillance under the ‘ Third Eye ‘ programme to prevent Crimes and improve public peace.[9][10][11] During this tenure, as per the NCRB data, Greater Chennai City was declared as the safest metropolitan city in the country for women and children.[12][13][14][15] K-4 Anna Nagar police station was adjudged the fifth best police station in the entire country consisting of 15,555 police stations.[16][17] Tamilnadu also was adjudged as the best state for the maintenance of law and order, by India Today in 2018 for which the contribution of Greater Chennai Police was substantial.[18][19][20][21][22]

Gifting of Pennycuick Bust to UK

A bust of Colonel John Pennycuick Gifted by A.K.Viswanathan

A white marble bust of Colonel John Pennycuick[23], the British Army engineer who sold his property in England to build the Mullaperiyar dam, was gifted to his descendants by Dr Viswanathan. This statue was unveiled at St Peter's Church in Frimley, UK on January 12, 2019 by Indian High Commission Minister A S Rajan.

Awards and recognition

Viswanathan was the recipient of the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2006[24][citation needed] and the president police medal for Distinguished service in 2017.

References

  1. ^ "Karan Singha out, AK Viswanathan is the new Chennai police commissioner". Deccan Chronicle. 2017-05-14. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  2. ^ Kumar, S. Vijay (2017-05-13). "A.K.Viswanathan is Chennai's new Police Commissioner". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  3. ^ "Hindus, Muslims jointly attend peace meet - The Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  4. ^ "Crime rate down this year: Top cop - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  5. ^ "The New Indian Express-Coimbatore, 25082015 : readwhere". epaper.newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  6. ^ "How Tamil Nadu Home Guards play a vital role in protecting Chennai's residents". dna. 2015-11-28. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  7. ^ Thanthi TV, Special Report : Rainwater Surrounds AGS Colony, Velacherry - Thanthi TV, retrieved 2018-12-23
  8. ^ "Chennai: In filmy style, cops round up 75 gangsters in city". Deccan Chronicle. 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  9. ^ "No place to hide: CCTV cameras every 50 m on city's roads in six months - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  10. ^ 100010509524078 (2018-09-18). "Chennai City police ropes in Vikram to spread message on CCTV surveillance". dtNext.in. Retrieved 2018-12-23. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  11. ^ "CCTV coverage for entire city an obligation: CoP". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2018-09-18. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-23.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. ^ "Tamil Nadu sees dip in crime against women, says NCRB; K Palaniswami credits police force". Firstpost. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  13. ^ "Chennai ranked safest metro for women: Tamil Nadu CM - Deccan Chronicle". DailyHunt. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  14. ^ Antony, Kathelene (2018-06-28). "Crime rate in state has come down, says Tamil Nadu CM". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  15. ^ J.Sampath. "Live Chennai: Safest city for women in India - Chennai secures the 1st place,Safest city for women in India,Safest city for women,women crimes,women Safety in Chennai,". www.livechennai.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  16. ^ "Anna Nagar police station named fifth best in country - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  17. ^ Kurian, Shiba (2018-01-26). "K4 Police Station is the fifth best in India". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  18. ^ "'Service' day of police celebrated". epaper.timesgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  19. ^ "Express Publications The New Indian Express-Chennai epaper dated Fri, 23 Nov 18". www.readwhere.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  20. ^ "Effective implementation of schemes helps TN to outperform other states: EPS". epaper.timesgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  21. ^ DelhiNovember 22, IndiaToday in New; November 22, 2018UPDATED:; Ist, 2018 21:08. "India Today State of the States 2018: Complete rankings". India Today. Retrieved 2018-12-23. {{cite web}}: |first3= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami receives best-performing state award; showcases government's achievement". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2018-12-23.
  23. ^ "Police gift Pennycuick bust to UK - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  24. ^ "A K Viswanathan, Seshasai to get President's medal". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
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