City cops may soon get to exhibit their sports skills or even flex muscles in the gymnasium as part of an initiative to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.
This follows a move to introduce daily Yoga since the start of this month for an hour between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. at all police stations that caused considerable heartburn among cops who found it adding to their work pressure rather than relieving them of it.
However, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and District Police Chief (Kochi City) Vijay Sakhare said it was not mandatory but rather “advisory”, and that it could be Yoga or any other exercise. “As professionals, it is crucial for them to spend some time on their health, while it is immaterial what they do. There are no restraints on the activities they can take part in,” he said.
In keeping with this sentiment, the district unit of the Kerala Police Association (KPA) has drawn up a list of such activities. It proposes Yoga for interested police personnel thrice a week between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The original proposal to introduce Yoga in the morning was one of the reasons why it was objected to as it meant that the cops had to turn up at stations earlier than usual.
“Facilities are available for Yoga at Palluruthy, Hill Palace and Traffic West stations in Mattancherry, Thrikkakara and Ernakulam subdivisions respectively. This is in addition to the services of a police instructor trained in Yoga available at Traffic West during evenings,” said N.V. Nishad, district secretary, KPA.
The proposal suggests indoor games like chess and caroms at stations between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m and outdoor games like football and cricket every second Saturday at the subdivisional level.
“We also recommend the services of a clinical psychiatrist once in a month and preference for leave to policemen on their birthdays and those of their children,” said Mr. Nishad. The proposal also bats for a gymnasium in Mattancherry and Thrikkakara subdivisions, in addition to the one at the North police station.
Mr. Sakhare said the Station House Officer in discussion with his team could decide the kind of activities to be undertaken and their frequency without affecting the operational requirements.
