DSPs, SHOs not to be posted in home districts

Heads of 238 police stations being replaced under new policy

LAHORE:

DSPs and SHOs of Punjab Police will not be posted in their native districts in future.

The decision included in the new posting policy was announced by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani during his visit to Gujranwala, where he inaugurated several projects.

He said a detailed mechanism and standard operations procedures had been prepared in this regard.

Ghani said on the occasion that in order to change the culture of police stations and promote public-centric policing, it was necessary for the officials to perform their duties impartially, free from any external pressure.

For this, new powers would be given to the SHOs in Punjab, he said. DSPs and SHOs will not be posted in the circles or police stations of their residential districts, while in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan, no inspector or sub-inspector will be posted as SHO in his own division.

The IGP said 238 SHOs were being replaced across Punjab under the policy and the DIG of information technology would monitor the process.

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He said that no officer with two major penalties or under trial or investigation in criminal cases would be posted as SHO. Only 'A category' officers will be posted as SHOs in new police stations.

Ghani addressed a Police Darbar and inaugurated a Smart City project in Ghakhar Mandi and an Investigation Support Unit and Police Welfare Centre at Gujranwala CPO Office.

IGP Ghani also met the families of police martyrs, enquired about their problems and directed the CPO to maintain close contact with them to ensure that they do not face any distress.

He said the process of promotion of constables was being fast tracked. "A helpline is being introduced for immediately redressing various departmental issues, through which any official will be able to contact me directly."

While inaugurating the Smart City project, Ghani said it would be of special importance in monitoring and surveillance, crime control and traffic management, thus helping maintain law and order. He said the department would continue to promote smart and community policing.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2021.