THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: R Sreelekha assumed office as the state’s first woman DGP. She took charge as fire force chief. She replaced DGP A Hemachandran who retired from service. He retired after completing 35 years of service. Sreelekha took charge as fire force chief after holding many important posts. Sreelekha was transport commissioner before taking charge as fire force chief and is 1987 batch IPS officer.