RAWALPINDI, Oct 25: Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Azhar Hassan Nadeem on Saturday said revolutionary steps had been adopted to eliminate ‘Thana Culture’ and make the police a symbol of care and service to the people instead of being a symbol of fear and terror.

He said this while addressing the passing out parade of police officers at Police College, Sihala.

Commandant Police College Mohammad Ali Mirza, Deputy Commandant Mohsan Hassan Butt, in charge Campus 11 SSP Ahmad Latif and other officers were also present on the occasion.

Mr Nadeem said the government had taken historic steps by introducing Police Act 2002 that had created an impression about police of being a people-friendly force.

He asked the police to be courteous and polite while dealing with the people and the criminals. He said community policing, consultation, basic human rights and other important subjects had been incorporated into the syllabus to improve the professional competency of the police. He also paid homage to all those policemen who sacrificed their lives in discharging their duties.

Presenting the welcome address, the college commandant said the standard of training facilities at the institution had been improved and a number of officers belonging to the provincial and federal government law-enforcing agencies were getting training at the college.