The Karnataka police decided to replace the outdated slouch hats for male constables and head-constables since they had to do a balancing act to keep the headgear in place as they performed their duties, especially during adverse weather conditions.
Published Dec 11, 2025 | 2:36 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 11, 2025 | 2:36 PM
Though Karnataka, in October, has announced that it will replace the khaki slouch hats with navy-blue peak caps, a majority of the state's 80,000 police constables are yet to get the new caps.
Synopsis: Karnataka announced the replacement of khaki, chin-strapped slouch hats of men and women constables’ khaki berets with navy-blue peak caps. However, the 80,000-odd constabulary are yet to receive the new caps — except for personnel in Central Division and Anti-Narcotics Task Force. Opinions regarding the new caps differed: while most felt happy to get officer-like caps, some felt that the colour would not match their khaki uniform. A constable did not hide his fear that since the peak caps lacked chin straps, strong winds might blow them away.
More than a month after a grand ceremony announcing the retirement of the khaki slouch hats from the Karnataka police, the 80,000-odd constabulary are yet to get the promised navy-blue peak caps.
The Karnataka police replaced the chin-strapped slouch hats — linked to the colonial era — with the peak caps (P-caps) on 28 October. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah distributed the new caps at the launch of the police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force at the Vidhana Soudha.
Apart from the Bengaluru Central Division, no other division has received the P-caps.
“The Central Division has been given priority, since we see a lot of VIP movement and visits by high officers there,” a constable attached to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office said.
Home Minister G Parameshwara said the slouch hats got heavier and looked aesthetically unappealing during the rains.
The Karnataka police decided to replace the outdated slouch hats for male constables and head-constables since they had to do a balancing act to keep the headgear in place as they performed their duties, especially during adverse weather conditions.
“During rains, it (the old hat) would become heavy and was aesthetically unappealing. Even in 2015, when I was home minister, there was a proposal for change, but it did not materialise for various reasons,” Home Minister G Parameshwara recalled.
During the British era, police constables wore slouch hats, which were later replaced with turbans after independence. Since 1973, police constables have been wearing slouch hats, which the then Chief Minister Devaraj Urs had introduced, he added.
Additionally, 25 percent of women in the civil constabulary also switched from khaki berets to the navy peak caps– marking uniformity. The new design is modelled after the Telangana police’s cap, after reviewing cap styles from various states.
“I personally chose the P-cap to replace it. This is just a start. We also need a change in the performances of the forces and their duties,” Siddaramaiah added.
Constables from Bengaluru south and west divisions are eager to experience the new caps.
Women constables wear the khaki beret, which will soon be replaced with the navy-blue peak cap.
A woman constable from Puttenahalli station said she was eagerly looking forward to wearing the new cap, which she felt was a symbol of gender equality in the force.
A male constable from the same station said the new cap’s design looked good. “But we need to wear them first to know its feel.”
“The staff members are positively welcoming the caps, but we have yet to receive them,” said the head constable at the Basaveshwaranagara station.
The government had procured a limited number of caps for the inauguration, but station-wise distribution would take time. Orders have been placed, and the P-caps will be distributed as and when they arrive.
“It will take around two to three months for every police constable and head constable, across stations, to receive it,” he added.
Due to the novelty, these caps cannot be outsourced and can be procured only via the government. Only a few constables, through their nomination for the inauguration ceremony, have received the new caps. For now, only constables on guard duty and reception could be seen wearing the new peak caps.
The few constables who received the new caps shared mixed opinions. A woman constable from the High Grounds station beamed, saying that it felt great since the P-cap resembled those worn by officers.
“There is a uniformity between genders,” she said
Another woman constable from the Wilson Garden station said they had to keep adjusting their old khaki beret, but they would now easily wear the new ones on the move.
Despite the positive reception, there were some complaints.
“The (navy-blue) colour doesn’t match our uniform. The cap’s crown could have been khaki, while the front panel and the peak sported navy blue to match our uniform. It would still differentiate the ranks,” said a constable from the Wilson Garden station.
“Security guards also wear a similar navy-blue peak cap. The only difference is that our caps have the police emblem and strap,” commented another constable.
Another woman constable said the old berets easily fitted in their pockets. “We cannot do it with these new caps.”
A constable expressed concern that strong winds might blow away the P-caps.
She added that the new cap felt heavy, and the darker colour conducted heat. She was, however, happy that the new cap differentiated the constabulary from home guards, who also shared the khaki beret.
Another male constable from the Wilson Garden station said that the new caps gave them a “smart look for modern-day officers”, but they must be handled with care. Rough use might leave them deformed, he said.
Another male constable raised concerns about air circulation. “The new cap only has two airholes at the back, and hence the limited air circulation makes us sweat more.”
The previous hat had four airholes. The slouch hats also had a chin strap, essential for keeping them from falling off their heads on windy days.
“A strong gust can blow away this new cap, as there is no chin strap,” he did not hide the fear of having to chase his cap while on duty.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
