Pakistan has failed to actualise concept of public-friendly police: Sukkur SSP

Awareness campaign organised to bridge gap between public, law enforcers

SUKKUR: In Pakistan, we have failed to actualise the concept of public-friendly police due to many reasons.

Sukkur SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh stated this while addressing an awareness campaign, 'Police, Awam Sath Sath', jointly organised by the National Police Bureau and the district police at Public School Sukkur on Monday.

The campaign, attended by a large number of police officials and students, is aiming to create awareness among the public about the working of police and, especially, promote a sense of friendship between the police and general public.

"It's a common perception among the masses that the police are arrogant, corrupt and humiliate the general public when it approaches them," said Shaikh, adding that people also think that instead of doing their job, the traffic police mostly sit idle on the roadside.



Meanwhile, policemen think that despite sacrificing their lives in the line of duty, ignoring their family and social life and by working even on Eid days, they are not able to be seen as respectable law enforcers in the eyes of the public, said the SSP.

The common perception among the police is that they are frequently tormented and rarely appreciated by the civil society. We need to bridge this gap, he said, adding that we need a common platform where the public and police can share their perceptions and problems with each other.

This is particularly needed in rural Sindh, where police mostly remains engaged in anti-dacoit operations and katcha area policing, he said. In rural Sindh, the most expected role of a police officer is to remain engaged in frequent encounters to terrify criminals, said Shaikh, adding that this automatically affects the general behaviour of the police personnel and, as a result, we find the police of rural Sindh to be more harsh and undisciplined as compared to the police of Karachi.

This needs to be catered for by encouraging the community police in small districts to be public-friendly, he said.

Paying rich tributes to the police, Public School Sukkur principal Ali Gohar Chang said that policemen, especially those below the rank of sub-inspector, have to perform their duties for long hours, which is why they sometimes become harsh.

We remain busy in our daily routines without even noticing that policemen are always present to safeguard us, said Chang. "It is very unfortunate that after Eid congregations, people greet their friends and family, but never greet a policeman who is present only so we can offer Eid prayers without any fear, he said, adding that we complain about the rude attitude of the police but never think once about how we talk to them.

"Law enforcers, especially policemen, are very low paid as compared to other government officials, but they lay their lives so that people can live in peace," said Chang.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2016.