A DSP-rank officer’s poppy red hair has gone viral, landing the Odisha police in an awkward position — eager to enforce the decorum but reluctant to issue a formal order on hair colour.
After the DSP was trolled on social media, Odisha Police asked its personnel to maintain decorum. (AI-generated image)Rashmi Ranjan Das, an officer, saw her poppy red hair go viral on social media, drawing criticism and trolling online.
Some social media users described the look as “unprofessional”, while others questioned whether such a look was appropriate for a uniformed officer, complaining that it undermined the authority and importance associated with khaki.
After the DSP was trolled on social media, Odisha Police asked its personnel to maintain decorum. “I have directed the Jagatsinghpur SP to maintain decorum and keep his hairstyle modest, befitting a man in uniform,” PTI news agency quoted Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik as saying.
However, the police department has not yet issued any circular or order in this regard.
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Why has not an official circular been issued?Naik said while officers were asked to maintain decorum, “everything cannot go by written orders”. Respect for uniform and top priority of decency is expected from everyone, whether constable or senior officer, he said.
A female police officer in the city, who has dyed her hair ash, said no law or rule prohibits these choices.
“We are in the police and do our duty responsibly. People should not comment on a person’s hairstyle. We welcome criticism if we are wrong, but coloring hair is not a crime,” PTI quoted him as saying.
Another senior police officer said women police personnel are also seen dyeing their hair coffee, chocolate, ash, auburn, caramel and golden colors across the country, including in Odisha.
“One cannot issue an order to keep hair black all the time. There are people who have natural brown hair. Apart from this, graying is also a natural phenomenon. What can be done in this case? So, no order can be issued regarding hair colour,” the official was quoted as saying, adding that it was up to individual police officers.
A retired IPS officer said the police manual does not clearly prescribe hairstyles, but personnel are expected to maintain the image of the security forces.
“Creating a controversy over a non-issue serves no purpose,” said another serving official.
