Move to ensure transparency in police ops

Punjab Police has launched the "Friends of Police" and "Volunteers in Police" programmes in an effort to bolster community policing.

The inauguration took place during a ceremony held at Alhamra Hall on Saturday, aimed at enhancing interaction with youth and strengthening bonds with citizens.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Usman Anwar, who led the initiative, emphasised that the primary objective of these programs is to foster better connections with the youth and citizens.

The event was organised by Lahore Police and saw participation from students representing various educational institutions, teachers, civil society representatives, renowned anchors, and columnists.

Additional Inspector General (IG) Operations Punjab, Shahzada Sultan, highlighted that the Punjab Police is undergoing a transformation toward citizen and community-centric policing. This transformation is at the heart of the "Friends of Police" and "Volunteers in Policing" (VIP) concepts.

Under the "Friends of Police" program, youth will engage in a one-day interaction with Punjab Police, gaining insights into police operations, public service delivery, citizen rights and responsibilities, and available public services. After their one-day engagement, these young individuals will become police ambassadors within their communities and receive special "Friends of Police" badges.

Similarly, the "Volunteers in Police" program will allow selected young volunteers to spend two weeks with Punjab Police in an internship-style program. During this period, they will gain insights into various aspects of police work, including office and station operations, protection centers, and service centers. At the end of the 14-day program, they will receive certificates.

These volunteers will also be attached to a police unit, enabling them to observe and actively participate in police operations.

As the program was being initiated, already 3,000 "Friends of Police" had been enrolled throughout the province. These volunteers are seen as police officers without uniforms.

Lahore DIG Operations, Ali Nasir Rizvi, stressed that effective policing is impossible without community participation, emphasizing the importance of the community's role in the process. He shared that after 20 years of service, he has learned the supreme importance of "Realization," emphasizing the question of "why are you?" in policing. He reiterated that policing is a public service, and the "Friends of Police" and "VIP" projects are a result of this realization.

Dr Usman Anwar said that Punjab Police is rapidly moving toward Citizen-Centric Policing, with "Friends of Police" and "Volunteers in Police" as the latest initiatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2023.