Community policing

Responding, though belatedly, to the public outcry over the recent upsurge in street crimes in Karachi, the Sindh chief minister has expressed his administration’s firm resolve to curb crimes in the mega city. At the same time, a federal minister from MQM-Pakistan has emphasised the need for recruitment of local residents to the police force in all cities and towns of the province. This, by implication, means introduction of community policing. The success of involving area residents in policing in many countries across the world makes a strong case for introducing this system in Pakistan, especially in Karachi. Considering the soaring rate of street crimes and house robberies in the city, now community policing here has become all the more necessary.

The rate of street crimes in the city has been on a see-saw for the past many years. After the bitter experience of these long years, the authorities should think in terms of long-term solutions for a long-time problem. The first step in this direction is to keep all stakeholders in the loop and take measures with their concurrence. If SHOs and constables are from areas of their residence, they will be in a better position to control crimes. Being acquainted with their areas, they can closely monitor crime hotspots in their localities. This will facilitate improved surveillance of suspected criminals. However, the desired results can be obtained only with the cooperation of area residents.

This calls for interaction between people and the police. This is possible only when the police and residents share identical interests. The minister has suggested that at sensitive points in residential and commercial areas hidden cameras should be installed, and there is no reason to doubt that in this and other things related to community policing, private persons will not be willing to contribute. They will be more than willing to cooperate with the police if they are assured of their safety. For the success of community policing, it is essential to remove the trust deficit between the police and the public.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2022.

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