New police chief promises to kick out corrupt cops

Temuri pledges to implement service-oriented, people-friendly policing in capital

ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sultan Azam Temuri has taken charge of his office with a strict warning to police personnel to refrain from bribery. He shared his vision of policing the capital at his inauguration ceremony at police headquarters on Saturday.

Temuri, who has served in the capital police as SP, SSP, AIG, and DIG in various wings, has replaced DIG Khalid Khattak as the police chief. Khattak was removed after nearly seven months in the job following last month’s botched police action at Faizabad. Sources say the government might replace some more key police officers, including SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani, who are being blamed for the failed Faizabad operation.

“Islamabad Police is close to my heart. I have served here as SP-headquarters and then SSP-headquarters. I recruited many personnel of Islamabad Police and know most of them personally,” said Temuri. Sharing his vision, the new police chief said he would make Islamabad Police the best police force in the country and a model for others to emulate. “It’s a dream and we will work hard to realise it.”

He said he wanted to implement a police system which is service-oriented and people-friendly. “You should not consider yourself rulers but servants of the people. Respect everyone. Be polite but firm,” he told the force. He also stressed professionalism and equal application of law.

While he assured the personnel that he would look after their wellbeing and take care of all of their issues, he warned that there will be no tolerance for corruption. “I should receive no complaint [of bribery etc]. If it comes in my knowledge that person will not stay in this department,” Temuri said. He also emphasised people-centred policing and use of technology to improve police working, and promised to improve the capital’s worsening traffic situation.

Temuri said all his personnel will be just a text away from him, promising any official could just drop him a text and he would solve the issue within 24 hours.

The new IGP also paid tributes and acknowledged the good work done by his predecessor Khalid Khattak, who was not present at the at the ceremony.

SSP Kiani, rumoured to be the next to be post out, was also conspicuous by his absence.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2017.