Let me begin with a big salute to all of you, in the best police tradition. This column will enable us to talk to each other freely the next few weeks on a variety of subjects of mutual interest. As we carry on our dialogue, feel free to give me feedback on what you want to know from me. One note of caution; I may not be as knowledgeable as you are.
I’m sure that all of you have seen a policeman or police woman. They can be seen on beats in busy areas of the city, in your neighborhood when they come on night rounds, or at a scene of a road accident. In case you have not spoken to one, next time you see a policeman, walk up to him, and have a chat. Now, have you ever wondered why policemen wear a uniform, keep their hair short, and salute?
We’ll start with the uniform. The uniform is a distinct identity which binds the police officers as a force and sets them apart from the civil population. The uniform becomes a matter of pride and prestige during training, and creates a strong bond among trainees. In Tamil Nadu, as in most of India, the uniform is khaki in colour. However, there is one district in Tamil Nadu which is an exception. The Nilgiris police, on ceremonial occasions and at parades, wear a dark blue uniform. Have you seen large columns of police personnel in crisp uniforms marching briskly on ceremonial occasions like the Independence Day or Republic Day? It is a marvelous sight to behold. Such is power of the uniform!
The short hair or crew cut of the male officers, which is a must during training and becomes a habit later, is in many ways, a leveler. So many reasons are given to justify the crew cut but the most convincing seems to be the explanation that it is to prevent a criminal from getting the better of a policeman by grabbing him by the hair during a confrontation. It has its additional uses, especially in Chennai, which is extremely hot and humid.
As for the salute, what does it mean, and how did the practice begin? It is said that ‘tipping the hat’ to ladies or superiors was a custom in Victorian times. This custom became cumbersome over a period of time and slowly morphed into saluting.
Those living in Chennai will be surprised to know the humble origins of such a proud force. In the 1600s, when the British had just landed in Chennapatna (present-day Chennai) the small fishing village was policed by a police chief known as Pedda Naik (big chief) with just 20 peons under him. He had no vehicles, no communication sets, no uniform, no caps. Just turbans! The police had the powers to arrest, search, and seize. Today, Chennai’s Commissioner of Police commands a 14,000-strong force with 1,007 four-wheelers, state-of-the-art communication facilities, a control room, the mounted squad, the dog squad, and teams of forensic and fingerprint experts.
If all this sounds exciting, I’m sure that you would want to have a feel of the uniform. When you leave school and join college, the National Cadet Corps will provide you an excellent opportunity to not only wear the uniform but also experience what it is to be part of a uniformed fraternity.