Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S. Ramadoss on Thursday, 28 May called on the Tamil Nadu government to immediately appoint a permanent Director General of Police (DGP), warning that months of interim leadership at the top of the state police hierarchy were eroding administrative stability and law-and-order effectiveness.

What Ramadoss Said

In a formal statement, Ramadoss said Tamil Nadu has been operating without a full-time police chief for several months, with the department continuing under temporary leadership. He described the prolonged vacancy as a matter of serious concern, particularly given the state's mounting public safety and communal harmony challenges.

'Strong and stable police leadership is necessary to discharge critical responsibilities such as protecting women and children, tackling rising crime, maintaining communal harmony, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the rule of law,' Ramadoss said.

The UPSC Panel and Supreme Court Guidelines

Invoking the Supreme Court's directives on police reforms, the PMK leader argued that the state government was legally bound to follow statutory procedures for senior police appointments. He specifically urged the government to select a suitable officer from the three-member panel recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and complete the appointment within the next few days, choosing the 'best and most competent' candidate from the list.

Notably, the Supreme Court's landmark guidelines on police reforms — stemming from the Prakash Singh case — mandate that states appoint a DGP with a minimum two-year tenure to insulate the police leadership from political churn. Tamil Nadu's continued reliance on interim arrangements arguably runs counter to that framework.

Impact on Policing and Public Confidence

Ramadoss argued that the absence of a permanent DGP was affecting decision-making and administrative continuity within the department. He stressed that Tamil Nadu needed a capable, experienced officer who could lead the force through a period of increasing social and security pressures.

According to the PMK founder, stable and independent police leadership was essential not only for operational effectiveness but also for strengthening public confidence in the law enforcement system — confidence that critics say is already under strain.

Call for Cross-Party Cooperation

In an unusual appeal, Ramadoss called on all political parties — especially opposition groups — to extend non-partisan support to the appointment process, so that police administration remains insulated from political interference. The appeal signals concern that factional considerations may be delaying the decision.

'To safeguard the people of Tamil Nadu, uphold the rule of law, and ensure administrative stability within the police force, the government should proceed without further delay in appointing a permanent DGP,' he added.

What Comes Next

The ball now lies squarely with the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). With the UPSC panel already in place, the procedural groundwork for an appointment reportedly exists — making further delay a political rather than administrative question. How quickly the government acts will be closely watched by opposition parties and civil society groups tracking police accountability in the state.