RAWALPINDI: The Dolphin Squad, a specialized unit of police consisting of 145 trained policemen to combat street crimes, was launched in Rawalpindi on Monday at a simple ceremony held at the Police Lines.

The Punjab Minister for Labor and Human Resources Raja Ashfaq Sarwar was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking at the launching ceremony he said the police should be a symbol of terror for terrorist or criminals.

Besides others, the City Police Officer Israr Ahmed Khan also addressed the participants. Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that the police force should win hearts of the people through its attitude and dealing so that the people should come closer to the police and help them in combating crimes.

The provincial minister expressed the hope that the Dolphin Squad would perform well in combating crimes and would further improve the image of police.

He also appreciated the performance of Rawalpindi police in maintaining peace and checking crimes.

City Police Officer Rawalpindi Israr Ahmed Abbasi in his address said that the squad would help create a sense of security among people and check street crimes.

He said the Punjab government had provided 75 heavy motorbikes to the specialised unit.

The police officials who had been part of the squad were trained by the master trainers who had been trained by their Turkish counterparts in Turkey.

Of the 150 police officials, two will be on patrol duty on a motorbike. The police official on driving seat will be equipped with pistol while the pillion will be carrying MP 5 gun and a baton. In addition to it, they will be carrying a handcuff, and will respond to the emergency call from “15”.

A command and control centre to be headed by the SP will be set up, a site for which is yet to be selected. However, the new police force will be under the command of city police officer.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2017