Addressing the media after assuming charge at the state police headquarters in Colaba at 5.30 pm, former city police commissioner Roy stressed that increasing the force’s professional competence and making it people-friendly would be his top priorities.

“Policing is a continuous process, and things cannot be changed overnight. However, one of my focus areas would be to improve the existing levels of professionalism in the force. The police should be made more people- friendly. Besides this, we also need to work for our own men and address their problems,” said Roy.

Asked how he would tackle law and order situations such as the recent political violence carried out by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists in Mumbai, the new DGP said: “Any law and order problem will be dealt with in accordance with the law, and according to the nature of the problem and the prevalent circumstances. Improving the security of the state is again a continuos endeavour and process.”

Reacting to questions on police corruption and frame-ups, Roy said: “Good and bad people exist everywhere, and there may be some bad elements in the police force as well. However, corruption within the force will not be tolerated and we are equipped with laws and regulations to take the sternest action against corrupt officials. The levels of discipline within the force will be improved.”

Handing over charge to Roy, former DGP Pasricha said: “Retirement is a part of life, and I am satisfied with what I have achieved in my last 38 years in the police force which include my last three years as the DG.”

Later in the evening, Hasan Gafoor took charge as the new Mumbai Police Commissioner at the city police headquarters at Crawford Market. Describing his posting as “one of the most challenging postings in the entire country’’, Gafoor said the Mumbai Police’s potential and capacity were among the highest worldwide, and that its standards matched those of any other agency.

“My highest priority would be to control or take action against terrorism. This would be followed by maintaining law and order in the city, with special emphasis paid to communal harmony and then street-level law and order. Next priority would be to tackle the organised crime syndicates that surface in Mumbai from time to time as it is the financial capital of the country.

Another focus area would be crimes against women and senior citizens in the city,” said Gafoor, who called himself “the captain of a team’’.