THIS is apropos of Shanila Ayaz Mehesar’s letter ‘Jobless criminologists’ (Jan 11). The University of Sindh through the Department of Criminology (since 1998) has produced nearly 400 students holding degrees of MSc in Criminology. Besides, criminology is being offered as a master’s programmes in the University of Karachi and the University of Punjab. Criminology is, beyond doubt, highly attractive, growing and dynamic sub-discipline within social sciences.

The federal and provincial governments, their respective interior/home departments, their subordinate organisations /departments, and other public and private sector organisations are requested to create and advertise jobs in BPS-17 for criminologists in the following titles/positions relevant to their individual needs, description and requirements.

The criminal justice (police, court, and corrections) must appoint/induct criminologists into areas like criminal justice coordinator, police psychologist, police trainer, police reformist, private detective and community police officer.

The prison systems and institutions need services of criminologists in positions like prison governor, correctional officer, prison reform officer, prison security manager, legal aid officer and probation/parole officer.

The criminal investigation wing in public and private organisations can engage postgraduates in criminology as crime scene investigator, chief interrogator, crime pattern analyst, character verification officer, forensic expert., etc. The policing, investigation and countering of organised crime, violence and terrorism could be the other relevant fields where criminal intelligence officer, counter-terrorist personnel, anti-human trafficking officer, human rights expert, cyber crime specialist, anti-corruption officer and security consultant could be recruited.

University campuses could be secured through the expertise of qualified campus security officers. The university, prison institution and human development department require criminologists as teachers, trainers and counselors. The incidents/events of hostage situations compel us to apply professional skills of the criminologist as hostage negotiator.

The home department should create the post of child protection officer to safeguard vulnerable children in our society. Community and institutional setups should professionally launch offender-victim mediation programmes. Crime reporting is the other vital domain where knowledge and skills of criminologists could be best capitalised.

DR NABI BAKHSH NAERJO Chairman, Dept of Criminology, SU Jamshoro