CHENNAI: All policemen and women in the state can henceforth take a day off every week, director general of police C Sylendra Babu announced on Friday. They will also be entitled to a day's leave on their birthday and wedding anniversary every year, he said.
The circular from the DGP was issued to all officers, with the directive that it should be implemented with immediate effect.
Police control room staff will announce greetings through wireless to every policeman and woman on his/her birthday, wedding anniversary. To maintain the health of the personnel, the circular said, they must be given weekly offs to help them spend time with their families. Those forced to work on their weekly off on special occasions will be entitled to a compensatory payment, the circular said.
As per state crime records bureau (SCRB) statistics, there are 1,00,932 personnel in the state, with more than 98,000 of the rank of inspector or below.
The demand for weekly offs has been pending for long among police personnel, especially among lower-level staff. Many senior retired police officers appreciated the decision, saying it would improve the morale.
Earlier, chief minister M K Stalin addressing the passing-out parade of 86 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy (TNPA) in Oonamancherry near Vandalur on Thursday appreciated Sylendra Babu. "The newly appointed police chief is setting an example to all the police personnel. He joined the police force in 1987 at Gopichetty Palayam as assistant superintendent of police and has now reached the top position in the state police. He has acclaimed the position through his dedication and conviction," said Stalin. The chief minister urged all police personnel to follow their 'chief' and harness their skills in various portfolios.
