The First Sikkimese Police Officer

Lall Bahadur Pradhan of Pacheykhani in East Sikkim is credited with being the first police officer of Sikkim Police. He joined the then Sikkim Durbar service in the Police establishment as the first trained and qualified Police Officer in the rank of Sub-Inspector and headed the organisation. 

An individual with the military spirit, he served the Durbar with his hard and dedicated work, efficiency, and intelligence for a short period of 8 years. The second son of Taksaari Chandrabir Pradhan, he was born in 1888. 

He received his early education in Gangtok. After completing schooling at Gangtok, he joined the Scottish Universities Missionary Institute at Kalimpong, where he studied up to class IX. He was then selected by Claude White, the then-Political Officer of Sikkim, to serve in the Political Office in Gangtok. At the time of joining the office, he was only 14 years old. He served the Political Office for seven years.

When the administration was transferred under the direct control of H.H. Thutob Namgyal, Maharaja of Sikkim, the need for a qualified police officer was felt. The Maharaja requested the political officers to select an able person, and on his recommendation, the Maharaja specially selected Lall Bahadur Pradhan for a year-long police officer training course in Ranchi in 1909. 

After completing training with distinction, he was deputed for six months of field training in Darjeeling. After this, he joined the Durbar Service. As a highly disciplined Namgyal, Maharaja of Sikkim, and efficient officer, Lall Bahadur's need for a qualified police Pradhan earned the appreciation of and respect from his superiors, subordinates, and the public. In eight years, he laid the foundation of a modern Police department.

Due to pressing family matters and the responsibility of looking after his estates, Lall Bahadur was compelled to leave the Durbar service and resigned in 1919. Because of his active nature, Lall Bahadur Pradhan was not satisfied with the management of his family estates. He planned to expand his activities on officer felt. 

The Maharaja's other frontiers established the requested political officer for the first citrus nurseries in the State. An able person was selected, and he breathed his last in on his recommendation in 1934 at the early age of 46. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, sons, two daughters, and five brothers. Other members of the family also rendered valuable service to this place.