Punjab IGP stresses zero tolerance for custodial deaths

Published January 15, 2020
Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir has assigned fresh targets for the ongoing year and directed all field officers to follow the Faisalabad police for becoming the best performer in crime prevention and detection. — AFP/File
Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir has assigned fresh targets for the ongoing year and directed all field officers to follow the Faisalabad police for becoming the best performer in crime prevention and detection. — AFP/File

LAHORE: Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir has assigned fresh targets for the ongoing year and directed all field officers to follow the Faisalabad police for becoming the best performer in crime prevention and detection.

While chairing the first regional police officers (RPOs) conference since assuming charge, the IGP also issued instructions to shift focus to arrest of hardened criminals and ensure there were no custodial deaths.

Held at the Central Police Office, the conference was attended by the capital city police officer (CCPO), the city police officers, district police officers (DPOs) and other relevant officers from the CPO here on Tuesday.

The IGP said the success of all IT projects initiated for modern policing and smart working depended upon polite behaviour, diligent performance and quick response to public complaints.

“The time of exaggerating and hiding the performance of police is over now in the presence of government authorities, media and public awareness due to their constant check on the state institutions,” Mr Dastgir said.

Asks field officers to follow Faisalabad police

He said special attention should be paid to arrest absconders and proclaimed offenders involved. “I will not tolerate even a single incident of death in police custody as such incidents not only wash away the good work of the police, but also bring a bad name to the entire force,” the IGP said.

The CPO has already issued a zero-tolerance policy towards custodial deaths. He further said due to free registration of crimes, the number of untraced cases has increased alarmingly and special efforts were required to bring them down in 2020.

“The DPOs must personally visit the crime site in women and child rape cases and conduct investigation of such cases under their supervision instead of leaving them to the station house officers concerned,” the IGP said.

He directed to conduct DNA profiling and testing in each rape case of women and children so that the criminals could not get relief from the courts.

The officers not taking action against drugs dealers, land mafia and extortionists should be ready for departmental action, he warned. The officials and officers found guilty of illegal detention of suspects deserved no sympathy because they were bringing a bad name to the entire force, he declared.

The IGP added that crackdown on illegal arms licence holders should be intensified and actions taken against people involved in manufacturing metallic and chemical kite strings.

While acknowledging the performance of Faisalabad police in crackdown on criminals, the IGP said police teams of other districts should follow the district’s example. He issued orders to intensify search, sweep, combing and intelligence operations in all districts of the province.

The field officers briefed the IGP about actions and overall crime scene of their respective regions and districts.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2020

Opinion

Politics of hate

Politics of hate

The issues between the two countries are no longer merely about territorial disputes but have taken a more insidious turn.

Editorial

Famine in waiting
19 May, 2025

Famine in waiting

FOOD insecurity across the world has reached unprecedented levels, with conflict, economic shocks, and climate...
Erratic policy
19 May, 2025

Erratic policy

THE state needs to make up its mind on the import of used vehicles. According to recent news reports, the FBR may be...
Overdue solace
19 May, 2025

Overdue solace

LATE consolation is a norm for Pakistanis. Although welcome, a newly passed bill that demands tough laws and...
War and peace
Updated 18 May, 2025

War and peace

Instead of constantly evoking the spectre of war, India and Pakistan should work towards peace.
Unequal taxation
18 May, 2025

Unequal taxation

PAKISTAN’S inefficient, growth-inhibiting, distortive and unjust tax system can justifiably be described as the...
Health crimes
18 May, 2025

Health crimes

MULTAN’S Nishtar Hospital, south Punjab’s largest public-sector hospital, was in the news last year for...