Kochi: In a rather unusual disciplinary move, station house officers (SHOs) in Ernakulam district were asked to run 10 kilometres and submit video proof — all for arriving late to the monthly crime conference.

Two SHOs and a woman Sub-Inspector faced the peculiar punishment after they reportedly turned up 10 minutes late for the meeting. The officers attributed the delay to traffic congestion and having been on night duty the previous day.

The directive came from Ernakulam Rural Police Chief Hemalatha IPS, who insisted on strict accountability. The crime conference, a routine monthly affair, was held last Saturday and was attended by all sub-inspectors and senior police officials from across the district.

While tardiness is typically met with warnings or written explanations, the decision to impose a physical endurance task has raised eyebrows — and sparked conversations within police circles.