Brief to cops: Look smart

Did you notice anything different in your neighbourhood cops over the past couple of days?

Did you notice anything different in your neighbourhood cops over the past couple of days? Not that they have become polite or the ever-present swagger has been ironed out. It is the baton. The all-powerful police danda has vanished from their hands, replaced with a revolver — all in honour of the visit by the world's most powerful man.

HT Image

There is more. Hundreds of Delhi Police personnel are much better turned out. The stubble is missing, the moustache trimmed, a fresh uniform in place and shoes well polished.

The Delhi Police have gone in for an image makeover. The bad news is that it will last only till Saturday — the day US President George W. Bush leaves India. The makeover isn't restricted to men. Even police cars and barricades have been polished.

The Delhi Armed Police personnel, which will line the route of Bush's 50 vehicle motorcade, have even been issued Rs 150 each to spend on washing/ironing their uniforms, polishing shoes and a haircut.

All the personnel in some of the police districts — who will interact with the US delegation — have been issued detailed dos and don'ts to be followed in front of the foreign guests. So out goes the baton, the plumb line will be straight (that, in lay man’s terms, means the line of shirt's buttons will align with the trouser zipper), women will tone down the make-up, and even the plain-clothes personnel, particularly women, should carry their uniform. Barricades were being painted even as Air Force One was landing.