V. J. Thomas

Vattavayalil Joseph Thomas IPS, also known as Joseph Thomas in police and political circles, was the Director General of Kerala Police in India.

Sri. V. Joseph Thomas was born to late Advocate V.J.Joseph, Vattavayalil House and late Aleykutty Joseph, Pamblani House at Palai in Kottayam District, Kerala. He is married to Mariamma Thomas and has one daughter. He retired from the police force in November 2001 and currently lives in Cochin, Kerala with his wife. He is currently serving as a patron at a few organizations. His younger brother, V.J.Kurien IAS is currently an Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Kerala and also the Managing Director of Cochin International Airport Limited.

Joseph Thomas did his schooling in St. Thomas College, Palai. Soon after college, he was trained at the prestigious Indian Military Academy before joining the Indian Army

Joseph Thomas joined the Indian Army in 1968 and saw action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. After a few years of service in the Indian Army, he passed the Indian Civil Services Examination in 1972 and joined the prestigious Indian Police Service. He served as Superintendent of Police, Kozhikode, Commissioner of Police, Trivandrum, Inspector General of Police, Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram, Director General of Police, Vigilance Thiruvananthapuram. He also served as the founding Managing Director at the Kerala Police Housing and Construction Corporation Ltd. Joseph Thomas is best remembered by the city of Cochin for being the brain behind the conception, building and inauguration of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)which was completed in 1996 on schedule. This he accomplished while serving as the Chairman of the Greater Cochin Development Authority and was also decorated by the President of India.

Sri. Joseph Thomas is currently the patron of the Kerala State Athletics Association. He also serves as a patron at Vidyodaya School, Cochin, Kerala. He is still involved in various projects in the city of Cochin and speaks at public events.