Lalitpur Metropolitan City has unveiled a new livery for the city police. The dark green uniform comes with a golden necktie, a brass-buckled belt and a service cap.

Lalitpur Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan distributed the outfits to the city police personnel amid a function at the office of Lalitpur Metropolitan City in Pulchowk on Monday.   

He said the uniform will help instill confidence among the officers.

“Empowering the city police is crucial, as they are the ones who implement the decision made by the city authority. With the new dress code, I hope the city police will be seen in a different light by the city residents,” Maharjan said.

Constable Netra Mani Kathayat said the new uniform looks much smarter compared to the old one.
“Earlier, we wore the uniform only while on duty. We actively avoided wearing the uniform while going home. The new dress code is a huge improvement on the previous one with a faded colour scheme. We look and feel smart in it,” said the 33-year-old.

Lalitpur city police has 72 officers under the command of Sitaram Hachhethu. 

For Hachhethu the new uniform does not just represent the change of outfit. It also represents the change in the outlook of the city police.

“The way one dresses will also affect his or her personality,” he told the Post. “Lalitpur city police officers are no longer the so-called vegetable police. They are not here just to chase away small-time vegetable vendors and street hawkers. The city police has a set of rules and guidelines and its job is more people and service oriented.”

Mayor Maharjan lauded Hachhethu for transforming the city police within months of joining the office.

“We are lucky to have Hachhethu with us. The city has already seen many changes,” the mayor said.

Hachhethu retired from traffic police two years ago after 29 years of service. During his time in the traffic police department he had played an instrumental role in reducing traffic congestion on the roads of Kathmandu Valley and reforming the traffic police division. 

Hachhethu has now been entrusted with the responsibility of improving Lalitpur city police. He is leading a team that consists mostly of new recruits trained under the Armed Police Force. 

Meanwhile, the city police has announced ‘Hatemalo’ , a campaign to develop community trust, in which the city police officers will visit people’s doorsteps to listen to their concerns. 

The city police has also decided to stop the use of batons and excessive force while removing roadside vendors and businesses on encroached property.

Ever since Hachhethu was appointed as the chief 0f Implementation Division at Lalitpur Metropolitan City in August, his team has removed 5,114 hoarding boards, signage and businesses on encroached roads and footpaths. From October 2, the city police has started monitoring the city’s alleyways on bicycles, a move welcomed by Nepal Cycle Society.