This is with reference to news item ‘LHC chides Punjab IGP for rewarding police on motorway rape suspect’s arrest’ (Oct 14). As a former senior police officer, one would wish to point out that Police Rules 1934, Chapter XV — Rewards, touch the matter rather elaborately. It has two points; one, “To encourage members of the public to perform the duties required of them by law and assist the criminal administration, rewards shall be given freely, and, two: “Rewards to subordinate police officers should not be given for the proper performance of ordinary routine duties, but for special merit in any branch of police activities”.

The provision of rewards and honoraria is available to other departments as well, including Judiciary, and is a common happening.

Funds are allocated under the ‘Rewards’ head by the government of Punjab for the Police department to meet such expenditure. The concept of reward and punishment in services is based on the law of nature. The citizens and media spare no opportunity to criticise police, and that is fine, but they should also appreciate good performance.

Tahsin Shah
Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2020