Police ill-prepared to fight Covid wave

As the second wave of novel coronavirus is hitting the provincial metropolis, Lahore police appear ill-prepared to prevent the spread of the pandemic in its rank and file as well the citizens.

On Wednesday, the first positive case of an officer of Lahore police was reported after about two months. Meanwhile, the virus reportedly claimed three lives in the provincial capital.

The pandemic claimed the lives of four members of Lahore police and affected over 460 in the first spell.

An official tally showed that the affected officials included four SPs, 14 DSPs, 15 inspectors, 34 sub-inspectors, 46 traffic wardens, 34 assistant sub-inspectors, 55 head constables and 219 constables. The SSP operations and SSP administration, who interacted with the police top brass on a daily basis, also tested positive.

The lockdown at a massive scale in the wake of the pandemic was a new experience for Lahore police as it was a new happening for the whole world. The department was not prepared to respond to such a huge crisis while ensuring safety of its staff. The outcome was reflected the large number of people affected by Covid-19.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended social distancing as the most effective tool to prevent the spread of the disease and the role of police in enforcement of lockdown was the most pivotal after the medical community.

The WHO advised those coming into contact with suspected or confirmed patients of the pandemic to wear personal protection equipment (PPE). Police interacted with a large number of people at pickets, including suspected patients. However, when the lockdown was imposed for the first time in March, Lahore police had very few PPE kits.

After over six months, the situation is not much different. The department has not taken any extraordinary measure like developing a special wing for such responsibilities and the shortage of PPE persists.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2020.