One-year tenure: Police officers welcome IG’s ‘policy’ on transfer

Inspector General of Police announces ban on transfer of SHOs and IIs before they finish a year in their posting.


Rana Tanveer January 21, 2011
One-year tenure: Police officers welcome IG’s ‘policy’ on transfer

LAHORE: Punjab Police officers have welcomed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Iqbal’s announcement of a ban on the transfer of station house officers (SHOs) and officials in charge of investigations (IIs) before they finish a year in their posting.

The officers said that allowing SHOs and IIs longer tenures would improve police performance, since it would allow them time to acquire knowledge of the areas they work in and build up a network of informants.

But other officers were sceptical that the IGP’s circular of January 15 could be successfully implemented in a culture of frequent police transfers, usually because of political pressure.

Most SHOs and IIs serving in Lahore have been in their posts for less than six months. During the tenure of the previous capital city police officer (CCPO), who retired last year, many SHOs and IIs were transferred within three months.

IG Iqbal, in the January 15 circular to all heads of police offices in the Punjab, instructed regional police officers (RPOs) to monitor all transfers of SHOs and IIs to ensure none are sent to new assignments prematurely.

The superintendent of police (SP) of a Lahore division, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that he believed it was a good move. “Once he has tenure security, a police official can establish his sources and make strategies keeping the ground realities of the specific area in view,” he said. “This homework helps the police curb crime and ensure peace in his area. When a police official, particularly in the field, has no job security how can he serve with dedication?”

A sub divisional police officer (SDPO) said he had been transferred thrice over the last year. He felt he had not been able to do justice to any of the three jobs. “It takes at least a month for an official to adjust to an area. Once he completes his homework he is transferred. This is why the police cannot deliver,” he said.

The IGP said in his circular that security of tenure was a prerequisite for efficient performance, as frequent transfers and postings on flimsy ground often led to adhocism and hampered the functioning of field units especially.

The circular added that premature transfers shall be made only on account of “misconduct, inefficiency and corruption”, in which case there would be an inquiry. The suspected officer would not be posted back before the completion of departmental proceedings and the appropriate decision by the competent authority.

An assistant superintendent of police feared that the high-ups would not be able to resist the pressure to transfer officers, and so we would start seeing many SHOs and IIs being charged with “misconduct, inefficiency and corruption”.

He said that according to Section 4(2) and 15 of the Police Order 2002, city police officers (CPOs), district police officers (DPOs), and heads of police divisions, sub-divisions and police stations were appointed for three-year terms. “So the law already exists but everyone ignores it. I don’t see how this simple circular can be more effective than the law,” he said.

The ASP said that according to Section 15(3) of the Police Order 2002, the approval of the provincial government was necessary for the transfer of any CPO or DPO under charges of misconduct or inefficiency before he completed his term of office. He said the transfer of SHOs and IIs only required a transfer order issued by the SSP concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Abdul Waheed Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The Police officials especialy the junior staff like the Constable, Head Constable (HC) and Asstt Sub Inspector (ASI) are working in very miserable conditions in Pakistan's province Punjab. Although they are getting a bit better salaries then other departments but they are performing duties at their respective Police Stations and Police Posts or Check Posts as an employee for 24 hours in 07 days.They have lack of facilities of accomodation, sanitations and mess services and even at some places they have'nt proper buildings and transport facilities to perform their official duties. They have no weekly off, no shift hours and no rest time. They can't spare any time for their families and kids and even if some one is posting far away from thir house they can't go to see their families for months and months because they are servants for 24/07 and have no right for one day or two days off in a week while other departments have work hours and weekly off facilities almost all the departments in the Punjab. Indeed there should be a system of check and balance on them but in some far flung districts the District Police Officers (DPOs) acting like a king and issued punishments order to the junior staff for just minor things at monthly or may be weekly basis.The DPOs and other Senior Officials doesn't bother to go out side from their luxury offices and accomodations for patrolling or checking. Check and balance system should be more effective and shift duties including weekly day-off and proper residential facilities should be provide to the junior staff to get good results for maintaining law and order situation in the Punjab and Pakistan.
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