Saniya Anjum/Bengaluru

Some leaders inspire through command. Others inspire through conviction. Najma Farooqi belongs to the rare latter kind. A police officer whose authority is anchored in empathy and integrity, she represents a form of leadership where power is never detached from responsibility, and service is inseparable from humanity.

Currently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Mangaluru, Najma Farooqi has been selected for the Chief Minister’s Medal 2025, recognising her disciplined traffic management and community-focused policing. Her consistent efforts to improve road safety awareness and streamline traffic flow have earned her wide appreciation, reflecting a career built on both efficiency and public trust.

Najma Farooqi at a college for promotion of road safety

Najma Farooqi was born in 1985 in Bengaluru, into a family from Bangarpet, in Karnataka’s Kolar district. Although the family had settled in the city, their connection to their hometown remained strong. Her father, a former government employee who had served in a khaki uniform, played a defining role in shaping her outlook on life. It was he who chose her name with great care and meaning.

He named her “Najma,” explaining that it signifies a guiding star, one that shows the way, just as stars have long helped travelers navigate their paths and routes. Najma often recalls this story as a defining part of her identity. At home, she was also affectionately called “Shama,” meaning light—another reflection of guidance and illumination.

In many ways, the meaning of her names seems to echo her journey, especially when she later wore the uniform, embodying the role of someone who guides and protects others.

Najma Farooqi at a function

Growing up, Najma was deeply introspective and curious. She found herself drawn to questions that went beyond the ordinary, often reflecting on purpose and identity from a young age. “I always felt that I am in this world for a bigger purpose,” she says.

 That quiet sense of responsibility, shaped by her father’s words and her mother’s grounding presence, became a constant force guiding her decisions.

Alongside her father’s influence stood her mother, whose humility and inner strength formed Najma’s emotional foundation. She describes her mother as the one who kept her grounded through every phase of life. “My mother has always kept me humble and grounded.

Her efficacious energy, inner strength, and unwavering faith in me have been my constant source of inspiration.”

For Najma Farooqi, policing is not about power—it is about trust. “When we speak of being an officer, especially a police officer, people think of power. However, I believe it is authority with trust.” She sees her role as a bridge between governance and the people, using the law to ensure protection, access, and empowerment for those who need it most.

Her core values remain unwavering: integrity, empathy, ethical conduct, and dedication to service. These principles guide her decisions both on and off duty, shaping her approach to leadership.

In a system driven by hierarchy, she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication. “Police work is always done as a team,” she explains, adding that understanding and clarity often achieve more than strict enforcement alone.

Najma Farooqi with Sabiha Fathima 

One of the most transformative experiences of her career came during her probationary posting at T S Halli. Until then, her understanding of policing had been shaped by perception. That changed when she encountered real people and their lived realities. In one particularly challenging case, the parents of a missing girl were hesitant to file a complaint.

Over 52 intense hours, Najma and her team worked tirelessly to build trust, trace the girl, and reunite her with her family. Reflecting on the experience, she says it taught her the true meaning of empathy, accountability, and teamwork.

For Najma, public service goes beyond duty—it is deeply personal. She believes in engaging with communities, understanding root causes, and creating lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes. Her work often extends beyond enforcement into mentorship, especially through awareness sessions on road safety, cybercrime, and social issues.

ACP Najma Farooqi

Outside her professional life, Najma finds balance in simple yet meaningful ways. She values time with her family, writes reflective pieces to gain clarity, and maintains physical and mental well-being through workouts and yoga. These moments of pause, she believes, prepare her for renewed purpose in her work.

Najma Farooqi’s journey reflects a powerful truth: leadership does not need to be loud to be impactful. When rooted in trust, empathy, and purpose, it becomes transformative. 

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From a name that symbolized guidance to a career that embodies it, her path continues to shine, quietly but powerfully, like the very star she was named after.