Ramita Munikar, 29, is an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Nepal Police. She is a graduate of National Integrated College and is currently working at Thapathali, Kathmandu under the Traffic Police division. Thapathali is also taken as an exemplary unit in Traffic Division for being able to enforce the traffic rules strictly.
Ramita shares with Prasuma Rawal of Republica her background, challenges and career scopes for a female police officer in Nepal.

What attracted you to this field?
I was inspired by the responsibility and discipline that this job holds. As a student, I used to get some training from police officers during sports programs and I was really attracted by their uniform.

I used to see myself in them, flaunting that blue colored uniform and creating an impact on other people’s lives by my actions and duties.

Can you mention the criteria to get into Nepal Police?
High school level education is also one basic requirement before joining the police. You also have to be taller than 5 feet. I took physical training for 13 months and appeared for the examination taken by Public Service Commission, gave medical tests and then was called for the interview. I got assigned for traffic division in Kathmandu as my home is here. 

What are the challenges you face on your daily duty?
Being a traffic police means you have to suffer from pollution; mostly air and noise pollution. We have strict duty hours and it is hard to take bathroom breaks or receive urgent phone calls. Dealing with some drivers and conductors of public vehicles is a challenge as they don’t abide by the rules or instructions given and find easy ways to escape. Some of them are rude and also use harsh language. We need to control our anger and emotions on duty as we can get more bad responses.

Pedestrians can also divert our attention when they come to the middle of the road to ask us questions.

How do you manage your personal and professional life?
I don’t have major issues so far. But it is problematic for officers who stay away from their home.

There is a proper schedule and it is easy to create a balance between work and home. We are also provided with certain benefits. I have been provided with day care facility from the Nepal Female Police Union for my 2 year old child at a minimum fee. When you have night duties assigned, you have issues with sanitation facilities.
 
Why should today’s women aspire to become a police officer?
The system is gradually changing. We get many provisions, facilities and work environment is far better now. I think someone can establish their career as a female police officer if they have a determination. If the educated youth are not willing to get into these fields, the system will never change. We also get certain reward for doing our duties properly such as ‘Best Traffic of the Month’ award which is recently introduced that inspires us to work hard.

 
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