Making it clear once again that the new DGP would go his own way as far as important decisions are concerned, MA Ganapathy said on Tuesday that he had cancelled the last decision taken by his predecessor BS Sidhu that prohibited use of beacons of whatever colour by police officers.
Ganapathy said the order had been cancelled with immediate effect, adding that the police officers would use beacons as prescribed as per the State Government’s recent order. He said it should not be made an issue as to who is using which beacon in their vehicles. “If CDO is using blue beacon this is a non-issue. What counts is the performance,” he said. As per the government order, State DGP, IG, DIG and SSP would use blue beacons in their vehicles while additional SP, commandant of IRB, PAC and circle officers would use yellow beacon.
Note worthy, Ganapahty had earlier said right on assuming charge as DGP that emergency services- like ambulance and fire services should be allowed to use beacons. “Police officers may use beacons in case of emergency only,” he had said.