S. M. Diaz

S. M. Diaz (1919 – 2000) was the Inspector-General of Police of Tamil Nadu. He was also a professor of economics and the first director of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy that trains officers who are inducted into the Indian Police Service. He is known for translating the Tirukkural into English.

Biography S. M. Diaz was born in Manapad, Tamil Nadu, in 1919 in a Paravar family. He graduated in mathematics from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, obtaining an M.A.

In 1977, Diaz organised the Department of Criminology at the University of Madras, and headed the department until 1983, thereafter continuing his service as visiting professor. During this period, in his 70s, Diaz obtained his PhD in criminology. In 1992, he founded the Probus Club of Madras.

Diaz was praised by former IGP of Tamil Nadu F.V. Arul for his bandobust scheme for the 1968 Mahamakam Festival in Kumbakonam, who described him as "an officer without crease in his uniform as in his conduct" in the terms of Victor Hugo, who first used the phrase in Les Miserables to characterise Inspector Javert.

Diaz retired as Inspector General of Prisons, Tamil Nadu. In 2000, he died in an accident at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy's silver jubilee celebrations on the Hyderabad campus.

Works S. M. Diaz. (2000). Thirukkural: English Translation and Explanation (2 vols.). Coimbatore: Ramananda Adigalar Foundation