GUJRANWALA: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani has said that in order to change the culture of police stations and promote public-centric policing, it is necessary for the officers and personnel to perform their duties impartially and devoid of external pressure.

For this purpose, the station house officers (SHOs) in Punjab were being given DDO powers and deputy superintendents of police or SHOs will not be posted in the circle or police station of their residential district.

Moreover, in the five major districts of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Multan, no inspector or sub-inspector will be posted as an SHO in his residential division.

According to a handout, the IGP said that 238 SHOs were being replaced across Punjab, while the deputy inspector general (IT) will ensure monitoring. No officer with two major penalties and under trial or under investigation in criminal cases would be posted as SHO.

Says 238 SHOs being replaced across Punjab

He expressed these views while inaugurating various public service projects in police offices, addressing the police court and answering questions of the media during his visit to Gujranwala and inaugurating the Smart City project in Ghakkar Mandi.

The IGP said that delay in registration of cases is equal to helping the oppressor and that will not be tolerated, adding that especially those responsible for any negligence in the registration and investigation of criminal cases related to women and children should be prepared for stern action.

Steps are being taken on priority to improve the affairs of police stations and all the funds received in fiscal year 2021-22 would be spent on upgrading police stations and providing modern facilities. He further said that in order to promote people-friendly policing, attitudes should be changed and modern technology used.

Earlier, upon his arrival here, he laid a floral wreath and prayed for the police martyrs, and also met their families.

Inaugurating the Investigation

Support Unit and Police Welfare Centre at the CPO Office, the IGP instructed the officials that no compromise could be made on the quality of investigation.

He further said the process of departmental promotions for the welfare of constables was being fast tracked. A helpline was also being introduced for immediate redressal of various departmental issues and direct contact with the IGP for any officer or official.

At the end of his visit, Mr Ghani inaugurated the Smart City Ghakkar Mandi project that he said would be important in monitoring and surveillance, crime control and traffic management and help in maintaining law and order. He further said the challenges of policing could not be tackled without effective use of information technology so the police would continue to use its resources to promote smart and community policing.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2021