Improving transparency

In a recent meeting to review crime and performance in the federal capital territory, the City Police Officer (CPO) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) issued a range of instructions in a bid to improve transparency and accountability within the capital police department. Station house officers (SHOs) who enjoy unlimited powers are regularly accused of corruption drawing unnecessary criticism from different quarters. Thus, the CPO directed all SHOs to disclose their assets. Besides this, each officer’s performance will be reviewed weekly and biometric attendance will be conducted in all wings of the operations division.

In Pakistan, the general perception among the public is that the police are among the most incompetent and corrupt public services. Public mistrust of the police stems from its inability to tackle the rising lawlessness in cities and the high-handedness of certain elements within the police departments. In recent months, Islamabad police have garnered disrepute over the mishandling of cases and failure to curb rising street crimes. The directives of the CPO and the IGP are a timely response to revive the police force’s image and restore public trust.

During the meeting, the IGP urged SHOs to increase patrolling and strategise over tackling street crimes and drug trafficking in educational institutes. He also heard SHOs’ grievances and reassured them of his support to resolve their issues. Such measures can go a long way in reducing job dissatisfaction and the possibility of corruption within the rank and file of the police. The capital police need to ensure good governance and transparency as it reflects on the safety and management of the entire country. Islamabad police must lead by example by fully implementing all the decisions of the meeting to encourage reformation in other provincial police departments as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2023.

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