ISLAMABAD: The performance of the capital police, especially the station house officers and subdivisional police officers, remained extremely poor in detection of crime during the first five months of the current year.

According to a monitoring report prepared by the capital police, the performance of the police was evaluated on the basis of heinous crimes and the police action against the culprits.

However, most of the police officers believed that the SDPOs along with the SHOs were held responsible as they, except one, were non-PSP (Police Service of Pakistan) officer.

Compared to rankers, PSP officers join the police after clearing the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination and are hired as assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

The report stated: “In order to streamline the issues and ensure improvement in prevention and detection of crime, a monitoring cell be established under the supervision of the deputy inspector general headquarters to evaluate the performance of the SHOs and SDPOs.”

The report said in the city zone, comprising Aabpara, Kohsar, Secretariat and Bhara Kahu police stations, 212 major cases were reported, including murder, gang rape, robbery, burglary and vehicle theft. However, only 24 of the cases were challaned while 182 were still under investigation and six cases were cancelled.

Likewise, 490 cases of the heinous nature, including robbery-cum-murder and vehicle snatching, were reported in the Saddar zone, comprising Margalla, Shalimar, Tarnol, Golra, Ramna and women police stations. Only 39 cases were challaned while 449 were still under investigation. Besides, two cases were cancelled.

Similarly, 275 cases of heinous nature, including kidnapping for ransom, were reported to the Industrial Area zone, comprising Industrial Area and Sabzi Mandi police stations. But only 15 cases were challaned while 256 were still under investigation and four cancelled.

Moreover, 317 cases of heinous nature were reported to the rural zone, comprising Banigala, Nilor, Shahzad Town, Koral, Loi Bher and Sihala. Only 17 cases were challaned while 296 were still under investigation and four cases cancelled.

Overall, the report added, there was an increase of 3.2 per cent in murder cases, 14.29 per cent in robbery-cum-murder cases, 25 per cent in kidnapping for ransom cases, 2.2 per cent in robberies, 15.67 per cent in theft and 7.55 per cent in vehicle snatching and 5.23 per cent in motorcycle theft.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2014