SHOs Continue to Slog it Out Without Any Weekly Off

Hyderabad: With the new government taking over and the change of guard in the department almost complete, police personnel are hoping for some initiatives for their welfare and overall well-being.

The priority is a scheduled day off for station house officers (SHOs). Right now, only constables and SIs are enjoying this privilege.

Officers in the ranks of ACP and above can stay away from office on weekends, holidays and lean days and manage work, unless an important event or crime takes place in their jurisdiction.

But SHOs, who are the first point of contact for people at police stations, are bearing the brunt by working seven days a week, including on public holidays.

An official at the DGP office told Deccan Chronicle that the they would look into this afresh.  

The department had announced in June 2019 the much-awaited weekly-off system for the department, including SHOs, after the Andhra Pradesh government had implemented the measure.

It was implemented in letter and spirit until the festival season kicked in, and SHOs and many others were forced to give up their weekly offs as they were drafted into the security network.

Later, the Covid pandemic took a heavy toll on the force, with many personnel not getting a break from work. Many SHOs facing chronic health issues like diabetes, BP, kidney ailments and conditions like varicose veins ere forced to work without any break, from 9 am till late into the night.

“The only exception is when an SHO is on night duty as he is exempted from reporting for work the next day. But if any major incident happens or in the event of any big programme, his presence will be mandatory,” said an SHO from Cyberabad.

If the department can devise an alternative measure to ensure that the SHOs get off at least once a fortnight, it will be a great relief to them, said another SHO from the city.

“We hope the new government will take our plight into consideration and take a decision in this regard,” he added.