Arresting presence

Jasmine Singh

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If you are a regular on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, then you wouldn’t have missed unsightly images of pot-bellied policemen popping up now and then. However, these images are a thing of ‘then’ rather than ‘now’.

For, looking at the new-age men in uniform, the pot-bellied image is hardly believable. Here are cops, who hit the gym regularly, they have the looks that could pass them off as any Bollywood or Punjabi film actor, they have a decent presence on social media, they are smart and wining hears of maidens, just like Sachin Atulkar, an IPS officer in Madhya Pradesh cadre, is doing. 

Whether Bollywood has any role in changing the way we look at the Dabangg cops now, or whether it is the new policy where pot-bellied police officers won’t get medals, many cop in tricity and around are putting in conscious efforts to stay fit and also to shine on social media. 

Like Harinder Singh Sekhon, an inspector with the Chandigarh Police, has more than 30,000 followers on Instagram. A fitness freak and winner of various body building champions, Harinder regularly posts pictures of his working out sessions and his uniformed outings as well. 

“I post all kinds of inspirational pictures, wherein young generation can feel inspired to stay fit. I believe, as a cop, I have a responsibility towards society, and apart from doing my duty, this is another way to motivate youngsters.” 

It is not unlikely for the men in uniform to be on social media, it is not unlikely to see them share their pictures on Facebook or Instagram, but is unlikely to see people clicking selfies with cops. Gagandeep Singh, sub-inspector at Nainital, a cop who saved a Muslim youth from a mob recently, does enjoy the attention. The number of followers on his Instagram and Facebook have definitely increased, “I get a lot of friend requests these days.” From girls as well? He laughs, “Main ki kahan ji.” 

But Gagandeep is of the opinion that the image of cops has changed a lot, “You see many smart, fitness conscious and well-read, well-informed cops, so naturally youngsters look up to them.” 

Even though the 27-year-old girl who went to meet cop Sachin Atulkar because she was smitten by his looks didn’t get a chance to meet him in person, many youngsters wish to not only meet the good-looking cops but idolise them too.

Both Gurpreet Singh, DSP HQ Nawanshahr and Charanjit Sohal, ADCP HQ Amritsar, are particular about their fitness. They do post their pictures on social media, with a little restraint though. “We cannot mindlessly use social media, neither can we go overboard with our personal pictures,” echo the young and smart officers who have to always sift through the requests they get on social media. 

Dr Nanak Singh, SSP Faridkot, makes an effort to stay fit and exercise regularly, he recently joined the Instagram but isn’t very active on social media. “People tag my pictures and send them to me,” adds the handsome officer. 

jasmine@tribunemail.com