RAWALPINDI: Punjab police department has decided to turn to a biometric attendance system in 750 police stations across the province, including 66 located in Rawalpindi Division to ensure that police officials are punctual and regular.

Of the 66 police stations, 30 are located in Rawalpindi district which includes the only women police station, 14 in Chakwal and 11 in Jhelum. The biometric attendance system will be made functional till June 10, 2021 as machines have been procured by the police department for the purpose.

Following implementation of biometric attendance system in 750 police stations around the province, the system will be installed in the offices of top police personnel such as SSPs, SPs and DSPs.

In a letter to divisional police chiefs across the province, the Inspector General of Police Punjab Inam Ghani has directed to depute a responsible officer to collect the biometric machines (police station wise from Central Police Office Store Lahore after consultation with additional inspector general of police/logistic before June 3, 2021).

The authorities further said the fingerprint of every police officer (constable to inspector) may be recorded in Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) through these devices before June 10, 2021 so that biometric attendance may be stated timely.

Earlier, in October last year, the biometric attendance system had been installed in 15 police stations of Rawalpindi district to ensure that police officials were punctual and regular. Installation of the machines is another step towards modernisation of the force. The use of scientific technology, a senior police official said, is essential towards positive change in police culture and advancement in efficiency.

He said the move will not only reform the system of attendance at police stations but will also ensure presence of top police officers in their offices as majority of them come to their offices quite late.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2021