IGP reiterated that the police is not trained to deal with contemporary challenges. PHOTO: FILE
Many criminals escape justice because police officials are not properly trained and relevant sections are not lodged against suspects in FIRs, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa IGP Ihsan Ghani at a workshop on Wednesday.
He further called for necessary amendments in the Police Act of 2002 and said it needs to be implemented properly.
In order to change the ‘thana culture’ and make way for necessary reforms, the Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) organised a two-day workshop at Pearl Continental Hotel.
The workshop titled, ‘Thana Kesa Hai Aur Kesa Hona Chahiye’ aims to prepare suggestions for bringing reforms in police stations and improving the prosecution method.
“For the past several years, the responsibilities of the police force to protect the lives and property of people has increased manifold,” he said adding, “despite suffering tremendous losses a negative image of the police force has been conveyed to the people, mainly because of the poor behaviour of police personnel in dealing with the public.”
Addressing the participants, which included senior police officials, journalists and representatives of the UNDP, the IGP reiterated that the police is not trained to deal with contemporary challenges.
He also urged for the implementation of modern methods of investigation in police stations. “Our investigation department is not up to date and did not receive any formal training. We need equipment that police forces use elsewhere in the world,” he added.
The participants at the workshop also pointed out the need for a behavioural change in police personnel when dealing with complainants. It was suggested that young educated people be hired in the police department.
Some participants said many police stations in the province lack electricity and do not have proper toilets, fans, stationary, furniture or even proper vehicles.
Three teams, each headed by Journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, former IGP Fayaz Toru and Doctor Azam Khan, have been formed to visit various police stations in Peshawar and inspect the state of facilities for both police personnel and complainants.
At the end of the workshop, the groups visited Hayatabad police station, West Cantonment police station, Town police station, Paharipura police station and Chamkani police station. They will present their report today (Thursday) regarding the lack of facilities and issues complainants are facing.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2013.
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