Cap-less Police

I have often observed with dismay many of our otherwise quite smart and proficient policemen walking outdoors without headgear most of the time holding the cap in their hand. One common misperception with them is that they can do so when off duty, though not all of them doing so are always off duty. Little do they realize, or, are made to realize by their superiors, that cap is an essential part of the uniform and whether ON duty or OFF duty when in uniform cap must be worn properly. In the late 1940s at the PMA our academy Regimental Sergeant Major Duffield  (of the famous Cold Stream Guards of the Buckingham Palace London and the oldest British unit with scarlet uniform and bear skin headgear) used to tell us cadets that the battle worthiness of a unit (Battalion) depended upon the training, discipline and morale of its incumbents . And in order to judge these parameters, one had just to look at the turnout and the carriage of its soldiers outside the unit lines. And, in the dress (turnout) watch the way he wears his cap.  And, in the cap just see if the cap badge sits correctly above the left eyebrow. If it does, the unit is fighting fit. The cap is a soldier’s crown. Otherwise, too, in our culture Pagdi (turban) has the highest place of honour. If our policemen are  made to realize the importance of the cap and made to wear their ‘crowns’ properly at all times, may be it will inculcate in them a sense of respect and pride for the uniform, which shall in turn instill the sense of responsibility in them. The self-respect so permeated would make them watchful and guard the honour of the uniform at all times. Would make them walk erect and correct in public. It would prick their conscience when indulging in an act unbecoming that could subject them to the ridicule of the general public. May I, therefore, request all the IGs Police to please give some serious thought to the correct and all time wearing of the caps by the police force when in uniform.

Truly

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)

30, Westridge-1

Rawalpindi 46000

Tel: (051) 546 3344