NEW DELHI: A day after issuing an order asking police personnel to dress formally while on duty in plain clothes, Additional DCP Anant Mittal said on Saturday that it was “nothing out of the ordinary”.
Mittal’s directive had advised Delhi Police staff, especially the women, against wearing jeans, T-shirts, and sleeveless and western-style dresses that do “not look proper in office premises/police station”.
“We feel that decorum should be maintained in all the offices. It’s required that when the officers and the entire staff are on duty, they should be dressed formally,” Mittal said.“The male staff can wear trousers and shirts as usual, while the female staff can wear sarees, salwar suit/kurta, trousers/shirts, etc. The supervisory officers will ensure proper check of the directions. Non-compliance will be viewed seriously,” the order had stated.
Retired IPS officer Amodh Kanth said, “There should be a certain level of decency in what you are wearing. I see nothing wrong in the order.”Activist Ranjana Kumari of the Centre for Social Research said, “Policewomen represent an authority. So, respecting the dignity of the work is fine. On duty every profession has its norms.”
‘Ensure proper check’
The order on the dress code for male and female police staff stated that the supervisory officers will ensure proper check of the directions. Non-compliance will be viewed seriously.