Punjab police

Change they need

While there is a debate on police uniform, there are opinions that its education and humane working hours that are likely to affect attitudes

By Mazhar Khan Jadoon

Dozens of club-wielding angry protesters blocked a road in Misri Shah on the night of April 10, burning tyres and blocking traffic. This time the charged group was not out on the road wailing against loadshedding or hike in fuel prices, rather they were marching towards the Misri Shah police station to thrash some policemen there to avenge the killing of a youth who was shot in the head by cops at a checkpoint. This is not the first time hapless masses took to street condemning trigger-happy Punjab police.

One comes across a very common sight on city roads that cops of patrolling squad are ducking behind a wall or a tree waiting for the right moment to hound and fleece a motorcyclist or a commuter. These cops are always at the wrong place at the wrong time to wrong innocent citizens. The only thing they won’t do is their duty — to give people protection and some sense of security.

After exhausting all other potential and probable ways to rein in the most dreaded Punjab police, Inspector General of Punjab Police Haji Habeebur Rehman has come up with another idea to make his force people-friendly — change the colour of police uniform. The Punjab police are notorious for brutality and violence and the mere sight of black shirts and yellow pants, sends shivers down the spine of humble and law-abiding citizens.

“It is the dark uniform which makes them grumpy and hot-headed,” Rehman had told a press conference at Rahim Yar Khan District Police Office (DPO). “Punjab has a hot climate and black shirts absorb extra heat in summer and make policemen cranky and ill-tempered.”

The IGP must have put in a lot of effort to research and discover the impact of colours on human mind and body. Black colour is considered authoritative and powerful because it evokes strong emotions. Negativity, sometime, is also bracketed with black colour. Popular phrases like ‘black sheep’ and ‘black day’ have been coined in line with the traits of black colour.

Colour therapist Dr Mohsin Mahmood supports the police chief’s idea, contending that the colour of police uniform should be changed if you want an amiable police. “Black shirts cause aggression and gloom. It is also a mourning colour.” Dr Mahmood believes yellow colour of pants causes depression as it is a jaundiced colour. “Red badges also cause violence and anger.”

What if not black and khaki? The Inspector General had constituted a four-member committee to propose alternative colours for police uniforms. He has also sought input from regional police officers. Reportedly, the proposal has drawn a mixed reaction from force within the department — some saying it will help them win public support while others saying it is waste of time and money.

While the search for a more amiable and friendly uniform is on, the colour therapist suggests that the uniform should be either light blue or light green and the colour of badges should be golden.

Citizens, however, are reluctant to buy the idea. Some of the citizens TNS talked to spurned the plan, saying instead of changing the uniform, police need to be educated, trained and taught ethics to improve its performance. “A wolf in the garb of sheep will be more dangerous. Police should change their behaviour, not the uniform,” opines Muhammad Akram, a businessman.

The rotten thana culture has its roots in colonial history that used police as a brutal force to crush and tame people into obedience. Rampant corruption and political exigencies also have had their share in ruining the image of police.

The Punjab police has also set up 100 model police stations with educated officers and latest gadgets — CCTV cameras, computers, latest mobile phones and vehicle trackers — in a bid to change the traditional thana culture and to strengthen the trust and confidence between the public and the police.

“People are scared of police. Instead of serving and protecting the poor masses, our police only serve their political bosses and criminals,” laments a school teacher, Akhtar Ali. “Uniform will not change their mindset and behaviour. The move will only cause the police budget to swell manifold as changing the uniform for the whole force of the most populated province will cost the government dearly.” Criminals are more comfortable to deal with police while law-abiding citizens avoid even passing in front of a police station, opines Ali.

Dr Aasia Mujtaba, a psychologist, thinks changing the uniform will, somehow, help revive the image of police. “Black colour evokes aggression and is used in aggressive games as it promotes competition. Dark colours are gloomy and should not be used in uniforms.”

How does all this exercise make a low ranker feel different? A policeman, standing under the scorching sun for the last two hours to salute a VVIP passing by, laments “give us some relief in our long duty hours. We need humane duty hours, not a change in uniform. It’s not the black shirt that makes us cranky rather it’s our long duty hours without any break that kill us.”

Dr Mujtaba says, “People will psychologically respond in a better way to a police in new attire. We tend to appreciate change and people will be more friendly towards a light blue or white uniform. White colour represents peace while light blue colour evokes a soothing effect on nerves.” She, however, says the new uniform will change the view and perception of people and not that of police. “Education and better training is the key to better police.”