New rules: Policemen to wear uniforms while on duty
Officers cannot stay at police stations after duty hours.
This exercise will maintain a difference between both - operational police and the SIT police. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Policemen performing their duties in districts West and Central have been restricted to work only in police uniforms.
A code of conduct issued by districts Central and West police chief DIG Feroz Shah on Wednesday stated that no policeman is allowed to perform his duty without wearing a police uniform. Policemen have also been directed to not stay in police stations after completing their duties and not to wear police uniforms while coming to or leaving the police station.
"The main reason is to protect the lives of the policemen, as they are being frequently targeted in armed attacks," explained Orangi division SP Ali Asif, while talking to The Express Tribune. "By doing this, we can also stop the illegal activities of the policemen who usually commit illegal acts in plainclothes."
An inspector in district West said that the decision was taken following frequent complaints of policemen involved in corruption.
"The officials and personnel of the Specialised Investigation Teams (SIT) are usually involved in such illegal activities as they work without wearing uniforms," said the officer. "This exercise will maintain a difference between both - operational police and the SIT police."
Five police divisions fall under districts West and Central, including Baldia Town, SITE Town, Orangi Town, North Nazimabad and Liaquatabad, with nearly 32 police stations.
In Karachi, district West is notorious for the killings of policemen, as more than 50 per cent policemen have been killed in recent years alone in district West, as areas known for the presence of militant outfits, like Pirabad, Mianwali Colony, Kunwari Colony, Toori Bangash Colony, Ittehad Town and Manghopir come under its jurisdiction.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2016.
Policemen performing their duties in districts West and Central have been restricted to work only in police uniforms.
A code of conduct issued by districts Central and West police chief DIG Feroz Shah on Wednesday stated that no policeman is allowed to perform his duty without wearing a police uniform. Policemen have also been directed to not stay in police stations after completing their duties and not to wear police uniforms while coming to or leaving the police station.
"The main reason is to protect the lives of the policemen, as they are being frequently targeted in armed attacks," explained Orangi division SP Ali Asif, while talking to The Express Tribune. "By doing this, we can also stop the illegal activities of the policemen who usually commit illegal acts in plainclothes."
An inspector in district West said that the decision was taken following frequent complaints of policemen involved in corruption.
"The officials and personnel of the Specialised Investigation Teams (SIT) are usually involved in such illegal activities as they work without wearing uniforms," said the officer. "This exercise will maintain a difference between both - operational police and the SIT police."
Five police divisions fall under districts West and Central, including Baldia Town, SITE Town, Orangi Town, North Nazimabad and Liaquatabad, with nearly 32 police stations.
In Karachi, district West is notorious for the killings of policemen, as more than 50 per cent policemen have been killed in recent years alone in district West, as areas known for the presence of militant outfits, like Pirabad, Mianwali Colony, Kunwari Colony, Toori Bangash Colony, Ittehad Town and Manghopir come under its jurisdiction.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2016.