RAWALPINDI: Over 40 sub-inspectors (SI) and 130 assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) from the Rawalpindi division have been unoccupied after their further training coursework was delayed for a couple of months.

Every police official on probation must complete a one year probationary training course at the Sihala Police College, followed by a three month ‘A’ course and the six week ‘B’ and ‘C’ courses.

The year long course includes basic policing laws, police rules, practical work, investigation report writing and physical training, as well as Elite Force training.

Of the 130 ASIs, 103 are associated with the Rawalpindi district and completed their year long course in Sihala in December 2015 and are still waiting to complete their further training, which they thought they would have completed within six or seven months. The ASIs began their course in Sihala in 2013, and have passed the ‘A’ course but are still completing the ‘B’ course.

Trainee ASIs who began their training in Sihala in 2013, and finished in 2014, are currently completing the ‘A’ course, and have attributed the delay in courses to a lack of interest on the part of police higher-ups.

According to the police, the ‘A’ course is for trainee ASIs and covers judicial workings under the supervision of a district and sessions judge.

The ‘B’ course includes working with the establishment branch and Police Lines, followed by the ‘C’ course, which comprises training and work in police offices.

After the three training courses, trainee officers are posted to police stations to complete the 20 month ‘D’ course on operational training.

SIs who passed out from the Sihala Police College in August 2015 are now completing the six week ‘C’ course.

“Sometimes under training police officials have to please the clerks to get their next course started, because they can easily convince the CPO or RPO to get permission to start the next course,” a trainee ASI said.

A spokesperson for the city police officer (CPO) has attributed the delays in ASI training courses to emergency duties, such as the dharna or other processions, which the police have been engaged with.

He added: “The delay in launching fresh courses is due to the examination process, [it] takes time to check papers and prepare results.”

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2017