A UT head constable has filed a public-interest petition in the Punjab & Haryana HC to ask for a maximum 8-hour work shift for all the cops in Chandigarh, Punjab, as well as Haryana.
Making a case for a new duty chart based on the 2014 advice of the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPRD), the constable argued that this system will make policing efficient & people-friendly. He has argued & a work shift of more than 12 hours is a medieval & draconian rule against the general conscience of human being. The matter came up for hearing before being adjourned till Oct 4.
Petitioner Jagjit Singh is in the force since 2000. His lawyer, Sumati Jund, argued that the “always on duty” dictum subjected police personnel to inordinately long & irregular hours of work (ranging between 12 & 16) & that too without any weekly day off for rest & recuperation. The advocate argued that these long hours not only tire the cops physically & mentally draining but also disturb their personal, family, & social lives.
The ever-increasing workload because of the new nature of the job has taken a toll on the health of police officials. The advocate highlighted that the rude & offensive behavior noticed in cops was because of the job stress & it was spoiling the public image of the force.
The HC was requested to issue orders for implementing the Nov 2014 research report that had recommended shift rotation in the police stations & police posts for a better service to the public.
