Capital issue: IG seeks public, media support to curb crime

Says key positions have been assigned to professional officers.

ISLAMABAD:

In Pakistan, highhandedness, torture, poor investigation and corruption have dogged the performance of the police force, leaving its public reputation in tatters.

The police department has made little strides along the road to professionalism, despite making big holes in public pockets. Notwithstanding all these faults, some police officers are still hopeful and talk of restoring the fading public trust by putting the force under committed and professional officers in the future.

In an interview with APP on Wednesday, Inspector General (IG) of the Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat sought cooperation from residents, media and other segments of society to deter criminals in the capital.



“My focus after assuming charge as police chief is to restore the public confidence in the force, and as a first step, well-reputed police officials have been deputed on key positions,” Hayat said, adding that steps were also underway to focus on people-friendly policing.

The IG said that specific criteria has been introduced for appointing police officials with integrity as station house officers (SHOs) to better serve the public.

“The policemen have been acquainted with latest technology and a mobile verification system has been introduced to ensure effective checking of vehicles and suspects,” said Hayat.

He said steps were under way for effective policing with focus on the arrest of proclaimed offenders and court absconders and improving crime detection rates.



The IG said that welfare programmes for policemen have also been started, and improved health, education and accommodation facilities were being provided to them and their families. The police chief said that an accountability committee under the supervision of the Establishment AIG has been constituted and there will be zero tolerance of corruption.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2013.