City police take steps to enhance security

Specialised units to be equipped and deployed at sensitive areas.

ISLAMABAD:

The city police have decided to deploy units of police commandos and Quick Response Force (QRF) on important roads and entry and exit points of the city.

Six QRF teams have been constituted for the task, which have been provided seven vehicles of police commandos and 45 other vehicles, along with “necessary” gadgetry to stop car theft, criminals and potential terrorists from entering the city.

The decision was taken by Islamabad’s top police officials while reviewing security arrangements and performance of the force in a meeting held here on Thursday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bani Amin did not elaborate on the type of gadgets being provided to the police units, but assured that Rescue 15 will be provided 38 more vehicles to ensure timely response to emergencies. He claimed that the current response time for the force was four minutes and vowed to improve it further.

To make up for the lack of resources, the IGP ordered that all those vehicles in use by senior police officials will be utilised for patrolling after the officer is dropped off at home. The decision will be applicable to IGs, DIGs and all SSPs.

“Three rings of security have been set up with provision of more logistic support for policemen on duty,” Amin said. Squad of falcon vehicles of Rescue 15 have been also directed to ensure stricter patrolling and to keep in touch with the heads of police stations for ensuring security.

The city has been divided into 44 beats with each beat consisting of one sub-sector; all beat officers have been directed to improve their performance, which will be reviewed from time to time with coordination among all wings of Islamabad police, including operational police, CID Department, Security Division and Special Branch, the IGP said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2011.