Capacity building: Media people sensitised on crime scene reporting

Workshop to share experiences and discuss ideas for crisis management


Our Correspondent March 30, 2018
A view of a Police media workshop organised by ICTP to initiate journalists of standard procedures taken by police at a crime scene. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD: Police on Thursday held a workshop for journalists in order to sensitise them to reporting from a crime scene the inaugural session of which was addressed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Sultan Azam Temuri

Speaking to the journalist fraternity IGP Temuri pointed out that the workshop titled  “Police-Media Workshop for Crime Scenes,” was being held with the intention of strengthening ties between media and police to effectively counter anti-social elements.

He said police have to strictly follow organisational policies and effectively perform in emergencies besides facing challenges in an efficient manner.

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He said Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) had been prepared by officials to deal with the media in case of a crime scene. The IGP highlighted the importance of increased interaction between police and media on a daily basis in bringing down the crime rate, adding that this workshop was aimed at maintaining a close liaison between the two entities and developing a mutual understanding of each other's professional responsibilities.

In this context, he said it was imperative to hold this workshop to share experiences and discuss ideas for crisis management in a more professional way.

Temuri said Islamabad police intended to compile guidelines from the outcome of the workshop which would be shared with the police to enhance their organizational proficiency to deal with media and tackle various challenges.

The IGP said Islamabad police had transformed into a friendly force with an objective to serve the citizens and resolve their issues, creating a sense of security among them. Accordingly, he said, Police-Community Liaison Committees (PCLCs) had been formed to ensure that any complaint is duly and promptly addressed adding that all possible measures were being taken to further promote police interaction with public.

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Temuri said Islamabad Police was also striving to enhance relations with the public by giving them access to judge the performance of the force.

He vowed that the Capital police would be made a professional force as well as role model for other law enforcement agencies, equipped with modern technology.

The DIG Operations Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Ali Baba Khel also delivered a lecture on the topic and said such capacity-building programmes would help in maintaining liaison with the public and media.

However, he said, there was always room for improvement, suggesting that expertise can be shared through it.

Later, a mock exercise was also conducted on how police officials can deal with media at a crime scene.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2018.

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