KARACHI: “I don’t think the pickup trucks are for us. But if they are, it’ll be a great facility for us. I hope our seniors will allow them to remain in our use,” said Sub-Inspector Zainab Bano when informed by a media person that the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) had given six pickups for women police with 1,000 bulletproof jackets and helmets for the Sindh police.

Around half a dozen women sub-inspectors with heads bowed quietly walked out to the Central Police Office courtyard here on Monday along their male colleagues to attend the handover ceremony.

“The helmets and bulletproof vests can’t be for us because there is no need for those anyway as we are usually indoors. Our seniors have told us that going out means an immediate suspension or sacking so we don’t. As for the pickup trucks, only you are saying they are for us. No one here told us about it. We were only told to assemble in the courtyard here for some ceremony,” the woman sub-inspector said.

Meanwhile, her male colleagues quickly put on the vests and helmets to pose for the cameras. Asked if the helmets and armour were comfortable to wear, Constable Khair Din said comfortable or not, they were a necessity. “They are heavy and it gets too hot, too, but what to do? We need these for our own safety while fighting crime in the streets,” he said.

Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali thanked the US Department of State for the vital contribution. “I am also grateful to the INL for extending their training methods to us. It is thanks to them that the Sindh police are receiving training that is on a par with the international level of training for police.

“The Sindh police, especially Karachi police, are trying very hard to bring peace to the city. The training, by the way, is only half of the assistance from the INL. They are also helping us gain professionalism in areas of investigation such as forensics,” the IGP said.

“With the latest equipment and technology used internationally, that we also keep updating, I think we would be able to improve our efficiency in order to curb crime here.”

Answering a question regarding provision for all that in the budget, the IGP said they were also expecting 5,000 helmets and an equal number of bulletproof jackets from the Sindh government.

Other than assistance from the US for fighting terrorism, IGP Jamali said they were also getting help from Germany and Australia.

On the occasion, US consul general Brian Heath also said that working together, Sindh police and INL officials had developed a new training regime for Sindh’s police forces that would increase professionalism, improve investigative skills, and ultimately improve law and order throughout Sindh.

“This is a first instalment of 12 vehicles, specifically for Sindh female police officers,” said the US consul general. “The vehicles — valued at $126,000 — will improve mobility and officer safety,” said Mr Heath.

According to him, the INL also installed the $1.6 million Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) at the Sindh Police Forensic Division. The IBIS provides ballistic identification support to Sindh and enhances forensic investigative capabilities.

Since 2011, the INL Police Assistance Programme has provided $32 million in assistance to the Sindh police, including armoured personnel carriers, pickups, forensic equipment, bulletproof jackets and helmets, thermal imaging devices, and global satellite positioning. The INL also assists the Sindh police with curriculum development. Earlier, the INL also supplied communications equipment, personal protective gear, first aid kits, coaster buses, vans, and pickup trucks to three women police stations in Karachi.

But on Monday, when the US consul general wanted to hand over the Hilux pickup keys to the women police personnel, they were all rather reluctant to take them from him. Sub-Inspector Shaheen pushed someone else up front while excusing herself for not knowing how to drive.

Finally, after some shuffling Sub-Inspector Shamim stepped forwarded and took the keys. “Hop in. I’ll take you out for a drive,” she winked and smiled at the media person who had informed the group that the vehicles were for them.

“The women police officers are only here as a formality. Within a week these vehicles would be handed over to some VIPs within the force while the Americans would carry on thinking that they are helping them,” someone whispered in the background followed by giggles.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2014