Model police stations bring ray of hope for overworked cops

Lahore CTO negotiates with different schools for education of traffic wardens’ children at discounted fees

LAHORE: There may be some light at the end of the tunnel for policemen who have, in recent times, been feeling the strain of excess work and a lack of resources. Model police stations, which have been established to solve difficult crimes and improve the force’s behaviour with the public, are finally starting to receive much-needed funding.

Up till this point, the initiative to set up model stations has struggled to bring meaningful change. The than a culture, however, is undergoing a revamp with the stations receiving monthly funds. It will be ensured that officers complete their eight-hour duty, while the hospital at the Police Lines has also been restored.

Speaking to the media, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) BA Nasir says work is under way to ensure the welfare of the Lahore police. “Station house officers (SHO) are being given Rs60,000 per month to improve working conditions.”

He adds that the funds are being used to renovate and clean police stations, buy new furniture and pay for electricity bills, along with other monthly expenses.

Talking about work-related concerns, an SHO told The Express Tribune that they are only given two uniforms a year. Due to frequent washing, the color of their uniforms has faded. He suggests that cops be provided with at least four uniforms a year.

Man booked for threatening cop after violating traffic rules

“Separate schools should be established to educate the children of police personnel, while the police hospitals should manage all medical treatment.”

The SHO continues that his subordinates are already working eight-hour shifts.  “Only in the case of an emergency does their duty get extended. However, the subordinates do not get overtime, unlike the police in other countries.”

He explains that SHOs are compelled to complete a duty of 16 to 18 hours. “We have to check school security from 7am to 9am, after which look after banks and government offices from 9am to 12pm. Later on, we perform duties at the time school ends.”

After security duties, the SHOs, on orders of officers, hear the issues of complainants at police stations from 3pm to 5pm. “From 6pm to 10pm, we have to block the roads in certain areas of the city to prevent crimes and then conduct search operations to find suspects from 10pm to 1am.” He expresses that despite such burdensome duties, the arrest of wanted suspects is also added to their responsibilities. “SHOs have appealed to officers to consider their own duty time as well and form a separate wing of investigation to arrest wanted suspects.”

In this regard, the Lahore CCPO commented that the SHOs are being given a day off every week. “Considering their difficulties, deployment of additional SHOs is also being considered.” About the education of police officers’ children, he said that Lahore Chief Traffic Officer Liaqat Malik has signed MoUs with different schools for the education of children of traffic wardens. This will enable the children to get a 20-40% discount on school fees. “Similarly, negotiations are under way with different schools for the rest of the forces”.

He maintains that the hospital at Police Lines has been restored under his supervision. “There was a lack of staff, for which an application has been given to secretary health.” The CCPO adds that when it comes to welfare, Pakistan spends $7.4 per police officer, annually, while neighboring India spends $16 per officer. In comparison, countries like Turkey spend $134 per officer and Britain $174 per officer.

He further says that due to the personal efforts of the Punjab Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz Khan, the salary of the police has increased and the issue of daily allowance, which has persisted since 2005, has finally been resolved.

“Hopefully, the way the issues of immediate provision of funds for martyrs, pensions and jobs for children have been solved, so will the others.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2019.