Women cops: Danger in uniform

Jisha Surya
First Published : 27 Jul 2010

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Their words were like steam ejecting out of a pressure cooker. They were visibly infuriated, frustrated and even helpless to protest. A high-level committee’s recommendation, directing all women police constables to tuck their shirts into their pants, has triggered widespread resentment among women police constables.
On Monday, ‘Expresso’ met a number of policewomen on duty in different parts of the city and their protest seemed unanimous. All of them said ‘NO’ to the proposal, on strict condition of anonymity. “We feel safe, secure and confident in the current bush shirt uniform,” they said.
They pointed out some physical reasons which, they felt, only women could understand as their reason for opposing the suggestion. Ironically, IG B Sandhya was the convenor of the panel which suggested the new reform.
A woman police constable said that they were desperately searching for a way out to express their protest. “How many people know how hard it is to manage during menstruation. Sometimes, it happens in the middle of duty. The current uniform helps us to manage till we get the opportunity to change clothes. It is absolutely impossible with shirts tucked in. What do we do in the public glare with dark spots on our pants?” she asked.
Another woman constable had a different physical reason to point out. “Many of us have undergone uterus surgeries and there is inconvenience in wearing tight dresses. Usually, we get 45 days’  leave after surgery and will have to assume charge even before the stitches heal,” she said, adding that the present style of wearing shirt over the pants would provide her a chance to loosen the belt a little whenever she felt uncomfortable.
The recommendation gives exception to pregnant women, but the police constables allege that exemption can be availed only after the sixth month of pregnancy. Special permission from the SP concerned is necessary for this.
Some of the policewomen also pointed to the possible threat from voyeurs, whose number is on the increase day by day. Cyber crimes, including cellphone pornography, are mounting.
Will the policewomen get exception from ogling? “Never! We have to fight against all odds. Cellphone is the new villain. Anybody can take pictures of our body parts without our knowledge. During public protests, I don’t think we would get enough confidence wearing tucked-in shirts,” a constable said.
When asked about women IPS officers wearing tucked-in shirts, a woman constable said, “Are they going out to the field? Their routine is generally confined to the car and the office. That is why they are recommending such reforms. Also, we face questions like how are we different from constables in other states who wear tucked-in uniforms. Yes, they are right. But we are speaking out our issues”.
Expresso met some policemen too. While some empathised with their women colleagues, others had different points to raise.  “Uniform is not a thing to feel comfortable with. It is a statement of your discipline. See, none of our women constables are standing erect. They don’t even wear belt through the belt loops. The new uniform will press the need for maintaining a fit body,” a policeman said.
The policewomen in the city, who don’t have the freedom to speak out about such issues, are planning to take up the matter with the authorities through the Police Association.
jisha@expressbuzz.com