Ghaziabad: Moved by letter from cop’s wife, police in bid to ensure leaves for anniversaries, birthdays

GHAZIABAD: Senior police officers received an unusual order from the Ghaziabad police chief on Thursday -- ensure no one is denied a leave to mark a personal occasion such as a wedding, an anniversary or a birthday.
The order came after an emotional letter to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) a few days ago from a head constable’s wife, who stated that she could never celebrate her wedding anniversary as her husband did not get leave and refused to take one, citing duties.
A senior police officer said that through the letter the woman has complained that her husband always refused when she wanted to go out for dinner or a movie.
“The letter also states that she had organised a party on her son’s fifth anniversary but her husband reached when all guests had left. Through her letter, she sought offs from work to officers on their special days,” an officer said.
This order, which comes into effect from August 6, will include sub-inspectors, head constables and constables. For station house officers (SHO) and senior inspector rank officers, leave will be granted in accordance with the old method.
Ghaziabad SSP Kalanidhi Naithani told TOI that from now on leave application by police personnel should be accepted on priority basis. “The job of police is very difficult and officers don’t get much time to spend with their family. Our control room has collected data of over 4,000 police personnel who are working in different police stations of the districts. Every morning, birthday and wedding anniversary details of the personnel will be shared with the respective superintendent of police and SHO. The senior would wish the cops through walkie-talkies and also send them greetings,” Naithani said, adding that the move would also help de-stress personnel who work for long hours.
“Due to the pandemic, officers are on duty on most days and they don’t get sufficient time for their families. Such initiatives go a long way in strengthening team spirit and bonding among colleagues,” the SSP added.
There are 3,780 constables, 1,050 head constables and 500 sub-inspector rank officers posted in different police stations in Ghaziabad. “If we provide a day off to around 50 personnel on a daily basis, we will still be able to manage the law and order situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, expressing happiness on the new order, a sub-inspector rank officer said, “On several occasions I have seen my wife and children unhappy as I couldn’t spend time with them. Now they will also be elated.” The initiative to grant leaves on birthdays and marriage anniversaries was first adopted by the Maharashtra Police in August 2014.