Rescue 15: Decentralisation decision reversed

IGP forced to shelve the plan in less than 24 hours.

ISLAMABAD:

The decision on decentralising the Rescue 15 police unit was taken back merely a day after it was issued. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani reversed the decision without giving any specific reasons, police sources said.

“There must have been negative feedback on the new plan,” said a police official. The 15 police personnel and vehicles were to be given under the direct command of the superintendents of police of the four zones in Islamabad.

However, the unit was going to continue to respond to emergencies with a small number of personnel dedicated to the helpline. The idea was to make the emergency response faster and compensate the police stations for lack of personnel and resources.

The manpower was divided on need basis and Saddar zone had received most of them -- 90 personnel and 21 vehicles. Industrial area was second with 63 personnel and 15 vehicles. Police in these two zones have been struggling with controlling car theft recently.

“The dedicated vehicles of 15 police were made available for regular operations like special checking, enhanced patrolling and curtailing crimes,” said a police official.

The Rescue 15 police officers would also have the powers to register and follow up on any case they had provided emergency help on, a power they had not enjoyed previously. It was to make the job of the police hassle-free, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2011.