Local reform: Community policing initiatives set up in multiple districts

Chitral DPO says public, police relations essential for prosperity

CHITRAL/TIMERGARA: Chitral DPO Abbas Majeed Marwat has said cooperation between the police and the public is vital to maintain law and order.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the community policing project in Chitral on Friday.  The event was organised under the auspices of Participatory Rural Development Society (PRDS). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided support for the policing project and initiated similar schemes in Lower Dir and Upper Dir.

“Cooperation between the police and the public can ensure strict vigilance over anti-social elements as well as help resolve local disputes,” Marwat said.  “Community policing will help reduce crimes, minor disputes and control drug trafficking in the region,”

He added mutual cooperation between the public and the police will play an important role in ensuring peace and stability.



Marwat hailed the initiative and hoped it will help improve the policing system in the region. He added 493 members of the 83 village councils will be trained under the programme. “Chitral is considered one of the more peaceful parts of the country,” he added.

Aims and objectives

During the occasion, Project Manager Syed Ali Shah briefed participants on the aims and objectives of the initiative. “We aim to develop an understanding between the police and public,” Shah said.

The project will be initially introduced in Ayun, Shahgur and Darwesh police stations.

“An investigation unit, community policing forum and a gender responsive desk will be established in each of these areas,” he said. “The forums will comprise local government, community members and police officers.”

Timergara

Separately, officers of Balambat police in Lower Dir also inaugurated the Public Police Council in Timergara on Friday. Timergara DSP Muhammad Tahir Khan said the council was established on the village council level. “Each council comprised LG members, elders and police officials,” said the DSP.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^th, 2015.