New look: Police mulling over proposal to change uniform colour

Decision set to be taken at the RPOs conference today.

LAHORE:

Punjab Police has been reviewing a proposal to change the colour scheme of the uniform of the force, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The current black and khaki uniform would be replaced by pastel colours in light of warm weather conditions prevalent across the province for most part of the year under the proposal. A senior police official cognisant of the development told The Express Tribune that IGP Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera had decided to take the initiative in light of the fact that most junior officials had to discharge their duties outdoors in scorching temperatures in the summer.  He had directed all RPOs, DPOs, CCPOs and officials at the central police office to submit suggestions in their regard in December.



The official said a final decision on the proposal would be taken at the RPO’s conference slated to take place on Monday (today) at the Central Police Office. He said a majority of the officials were keen on adopting a uniform akin to that of the police in Canada. The official said the colour of the uniforms for commandos and officials was sky blue and that of community police was light sky blue.

CCPO Amin Wains confirmed the development. He said suggestions regarding the proposal had been submitted.

Constable Sher Ali (who has been in the force for ten years and is presently working for the operations wing) said the proposed change would go a long way in making life simpler for junior officials manning pickets for hours at a stretch in the heat.

Saira Faisal, a fashion designer, said the implementation of the proposal might improve performance standards. “The present uniform is ill-suited to weather conditions. The black shirt absorbs heat that compounds their problems and prevents them from effectively discharging their duties. If the force wants to change uniforms due to this it should select light colours. Sky or light blue would be ideal in this regard,” she said.

Another police official told The Express Tribune that the force had also been considering a proposal to pay junior officials Rs4,800 yearly instead of providing them with ready-to-wear uniforms to enable them to get uniforms tailored to set standards. He said officials between SIs and constables are provided three uniforms by the central police office and inspectors to IGs have the uniform-allowance added to their salaries. The official said junior officials were rarely provided with uniforms due to paucity of funds.

A constable deployed in the Rang Mahal area told The Express Tribune that he had not received a new uniform in two years. He said the condition of his set of uniforms was deplorable.

While most people have responded favourably to the proposed change in the colour of the uniform others have voiced their reservations regarding it. Constable Rana Liaqat Ali said the present uniform struck terror in the hearts of anti-state elements. “There faces go pale at the sight of a policeman.” This helps us in identifying and nabbing suspicious elements,” he said. Ali said a policeman attired in a different uniform would not be able to command the same respect among citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2015.