No need to salute ministerial staff: SP’s circular sparks row

No need to salute ministerial staff: SP’s circular sparks row

A.Selvaraj@timesgroup.com

Chennai:31.05.2020

Should a uniformed policeman salute a ministerial staffer in the police department? A circular from a superintendent of police in Peramabalur district to subordinate officers, asking them not to salute ministerial staff in the department has kicked up a row. The ministerial staff association has decided to express its ire by sporting a black band on sleeves, saying the circular has spoiled the cordial atmosphere between uniformed police and ministerial staff in the department. The association also complained to the DGP about the matter.

SP Nisha Parthiban is said to have witnessed police personnel saluting ministerial staff promptly when they need to get some work done. This led the officer to issue a circular dated May 23 to all her subordinates in Perambalur district.

The issue blew up with office-bearers of the Tamil Nadu police ministerial staff, Perambalur district branch, passing a resolution condemning this act at a meeting on Friday.

Though not mandatory, police personnel and ministerial staff exchanging warm regards has been part of the work culture for years. While ministerial staff said they had never insisted that field level officers or police personnel salute, it was a nod to the friendly nature the two shared and because staff work for the police personnel. “We never expect this courtesy from any police personnel,” said a ministerial staff’ office-bearers in the DGP office.

“We have received several accolades from many senior police officers on many occasions and we have continuously showed our respect and faith even now during the Coronavirus pandemic too,” said an office-bearer of the TN ministerial staff, Perambalur district.

In 2018, during a function for the golden jubilee of the police ministerial staff association at Coimbatore, the then ADGP, administration, had said ministerial staff are behind the victory of every senior police officer. “The officers are trying to replicate Lord Curzon’s ideology of divide and rule and are trying to split the healthy atmosphere between police personnel and the ministerial staff,” a former ministerial staff association member at the Chennai commissioner’s office said.

The ministerial staff association has decided to express its ire by sporting a black band on sleeves, saying the circular has spolied the cordial atmosphere between uniformed police and ministerial staff in the police department