Kerala cops want to shed khaki image

“Whenever people see khaki, they think of us.” That’s the reason why the Kerala Police are all for switching to more pleasing colours. Khaki frightens them, they say, reports Ramesh Babu.

“Whenever people see khaki, they think of us.” That’s the reason why the Kerala Police are all for switching to more pleasing colours. Khaki frightens them, they say.

HT Image

Firm in the belief that the men are perfect and only the uniform is to blame for the negative perception among people, the Kerala Police will soon approach the state government with a request to replace the khakis they wear on duty.

“There have been enough attitudinal changes among our men but these are not reflecting properly. What we need is a new-look force. The dress is the first thing that catches the eye. So, we will request the government to change our uniform accordingly,” Kerala Police Associa-tion (KPA) state general secretary C.R. Biju said on Thursday.

The KPA, the first ever trade union of policemen set up in 1979, has a 60-point charter of demands, but uniform change is at the top. It feels that besides giving the force a different look, the colour change will also help it move closer to people. Furthermore, it will keep the policemen grounded.

The cops may well don new colours, given the state home minister’s response. “I don't think uniform is a big problem. The government is yet to receive such a request. What we need is qualitative changes in police outlook,” Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told HT.