The PCR personnel will also have two shifts from tomorrow, a step that has been taken to quell the resentment brewing among the men, who complained that they were being put on duty for 12 hours a day. ``We are going to implement eight-hour shifts from tomorrow itself,'' Kiran Bedi told Chandigarh Newsline. ``We do not want the quality to suffer.'' Besides the PCR, the IGP also addressed policewomen and Home Guards. The objective of the interaction was to identify their problems, find solutions and to know how familiar they are with their jobs.

Bedi said more policewomen, who were currently performing desk jobs, would be diverted to the field. ``They were recruited for the field work. It is unfortunate that they were deployed elsewhere,'' said Bedi. Housing being one of the main problems being faced by policewomen, Bedi said the department would try and work out a solution. She said the department would consider having separate seniority levels for the women police.

It was an unusual scene at the Traffic Lines with other senior officials also present on the occasion. Initially, the women were hesitant to air their grievances, but soon they opened up, and also listened with rapt attention to the IGP. The IGP appealed to them to serve with honesty.

``Dishonesty is as yet not associated with women police in our country. Let it not happen,'' she said. The police personnel will also have their rest days every week or at least once every 10 days, said the IGP. The PCR personnel also put forth their problems such as difficulty in getting leave and 12-hour duty. The IGP said it would be must for the policewomen to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers. ``How will you ask the common man to wear helmets if you yourself are not wearing it,'' she asked. They have been given two days' time to arrange their helmets.