Women constables in the state will soon get to sport new uniforms. In place of shirts and trousers, they will wear a loose-fitting top with full sleeves and a pant which is presently worn by the women Home Guard units.

A decision in this regard was recently taken by the uniforms committee of the state police in the wake of debates and studies of the uniforms of women constables in other states.

The police department had been receiving suggestions to change the existing salwar-kameez uniforms. In their suggestions, senior police officers had stated that sari and salwar-kameez were not ideal uniforms as many a times constables are required to do walk briskly or even run as part of effective policing.

Senior officers said about four years ago, sari was replaced with salwar-kameez to make uniform more convenient for women constables and achieve better policing but the women personnel were not very happy with the changed uniform.

“The uniforms committee then decided in favour of a semi-tunic top and a loose pant being used by women Home Guards which has been found to be more comfortable and effective in policing duties,” said a senior officer.

Another police officer said that the semi-tunic was selected keeping in view the changes in the physical growth in women. “Wearing tight pants and shirts was not liked by many constables,’’ said the officer, adding that “it was one more reason for the senior officers to come up with a new attire for women constables.”

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