Law and order: Police announce new crime-fighting plan

CIA, anti-vehicle theft squad placed under sub-divisional police officer

LAHORE:

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains announced a new strategy on Tuesday to curb crime.

Talking to reporters at the police headquarters, Wains said a new beat system would be introduced after Muharram in Iqbal Town, City and Civil Lines police divisions. “At every police station, 10 policemen and 10 civilians will be deputed to control crime. Policemen will be given two motorbikes to respond to emergencies within seven to 10 minutes,” he said.

He said that officers at every police station would prepare a list of suspects involved in crime. “Jailbirds, gang members, Afghan refugees, property dealers and tenants will all be listed,” he said.

He said that a list of top 100 proclaimed offenders from Lahore district had been prepared. “Head money has been placed on the proclaimed offenders to ensure their arrest. Other divisions will also prepare similar lists. Catching the 700 POs will be our top priority,” he said.

He said that evidence would be collected against the accused more carefully to build a strong and legally sound case.

Wains announced that each policeman would be required to provide at least one actionable piece of intelligence every month. “There are more than 30,000 police officers in Lahore. We will now use them to collect information that will be pooled every month,” he said. The CCPO said that action would be taken against policemen who fail to perform.

He urged citizens to help police by providing them information. “Complaint and information boxes will be installed in front of every police station,” he said.

Wains said apart from street crime, police had been directed to focus on drug peddling and land grab.

“We have also decided to place the local circles of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Squad (AVLS) under the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) concerned,” he said.

He said that officers performing well would be awarded prizes and certificates every month.

Referring to the Model Town violence on June 17, he said that a new joint investigation team (JIT) would soon be formed. “The suspects named in the FIR are not participating in the investigation process. Notices have been sent, but respondents have been declining to participate,” he said.

The CCPO said that a JIT had been formed to search for Abdul Qadir Gilani.

To a question about the burning death of an under-training CSS officer, he said it was being investigated. “It appears to be suicide,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2014.