Sanjiv Bakshi amp; Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune news service
Hoshiarpur, August 31
Perhaps with an intention to bring in more professionalism and discipline in the women cops of the district, SSP Amneet Kondal, who recently got posted here, has issued orders asking them not to opt for varied hairstyles and instead maintain a bun with a mesh on it.
The IPS officer has directed the women police personnel to follow a uniform code in letter and in spirit. The women employees have been directed in this regard by issuing an official order issued by the district police chief’s office (vide order No. 57438 dated August 28).
The order reads, “The women police personnel of the district are not wearing uniforms as per the pattern and along with the uniform. They have different types of hairstyles, which do not look good. So everyone is instructed to wear the uniform according to the prescribed pattern and not to make different hairstyles. Tie a hair bun and wear mesh on it. Ensure strict compliance of the orders.” The last line of the order reads that if any woman cop violates these instructions, departmental action could be initiated against her.”
Even as her orders are being seen with both criticism and appreciation, Kondal maintains, “My orders are only for the time when these women are in uniform and on police duty. While in uniform, we have to maintain a particular look as per the prescribed norms. We cannot be adopting different hairstyles. We have got this training in the National Police Academy, Hyderabad, as well as the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur.”
She says once the women cops are off duty, they can don any civil dress as per their choice and may even let their hair loose, do a ponytail or take to any kind of hairstyle. “On duty, a uniform style and pattern has to be maintained. This is a basic norm but I fail to understand the hype being created over the order,” she seemed a bit upset over the media reports about her orders today.
Kondal added, “So far, no woman cop has come to me about her reservations about my order. Even if they come to me for any discussion about it, I am open to it. Interestingly, today every policewoman whom I saw was donning a neat bun.”
An SP-rank officer in the district too seemed happy with the order. “We used to notice young women constables often doing ponytails. We were finding it odd telling them to tie a proper bun. It is good that the new SSP has formally issued the instructions.”
No ponytails while in uniform, tie a bun: Hoshiarpur SSP Amneet Kondal to women cops
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