Mumbai:
Body Mass Index is the new catchphrase for traffic cops in Mumbai. The traffic police department wants only healthy candidates who will be able to take the stress and travails of a life on the streets of the traffic-snarled city.
"This time while recruiting traffic cops, we made sure we included only those who have a BMI less than 27, so that we get lean and fit officers," said Pandit Kale, assistant commissioner, Mumbai Traffic Police.
The Mumbai traffic police have just recruited 350 traffic cops. "The idea to introduce BMI in the recruitment procedure was our joint police commissioner's (traffic) brainchild. We also ensured that the selected candidates were below the age of 30 and had basic knowledge of computers. Having a young traffic force will present a new image to people," said a senior traffic police officer.
Also, women will soon be found manning signals. "We have just recruited three women in our fleet; 15 more will join us. The neighbouring towns too have female traffic cops. Women are more assertive and people obey them," added the official.
A few months ago, the Mumbai police had announced plans of building gymnasiums in police stations across the city. So far, 21 gyms have been built for the city's 91 police stations.
There's also a financial incentive for keeping fit: Rs 250. While lean and fit cops can take home this extra allowance every month, the overweight ones don't qualify. Every police zone in the city has a BMI machine to conduct checks on the personnel under its jurisdiction.
"This time while recruiting traffic cops, we made sure we included only those who have a BMI less than 27, so that we get lean and fit officers," said Pandit Kale, assistant commissioner, Mumbai Traffic Police.
The Mumbai traffic police have just recruited 350 traffic cops. "The idea to introduce BMI in the recruitment procedure was our joint police commissioner's (traffic) brainchild. We also ensured that the selected candidates were below the age of 30 and had basic knowledge of computers. Having a young traffic force will present a new image to people," said a senior traffic police officer.
Also, women will soon be found manning signals. "We have just recruited three women in our fleet; 15 more will join us. The neighbouring towns too have female traffic cops. Women are more assertive and people obey them," added the official.
A few months ago, the Mumbai police had announced plans of building gymnasiums in police stations across the city. So far, 21 gyms have been built for the city's 91 police stations.
There's also a financial incentive for keeping fit: Rs 250. While lean and fit cops can take home this extra allowance every month, the overweight ones don't qualify. Every police zone in the city has a BMI machine to conduct checks on the personnel under its jurisdiction.
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