KARACHI: United States Consul General Brian Heath and officials from the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) handed over four pick-up vehicles to the Sindh police on Thursday.

Sindh Police Inspector General Ghulam Hyder Jamali received the keys of the pick up carriers at a simple ceremony held at the Central Police Office (CPO), where INL attaché Brooke de Montluzin was also present.

This is the second installment of vehicles, specifically for Sindh’s female police officers and stations. The troop carriers — valued at $126,000 — will improve officers’ mobility and safety.

Since 2011, the INL Police Assistance Program has provided $36 million in assistance to the Sindh police. This includes armored personnel carriers, pick-up trucks, forensic equipment, bulletproof jackets and helmets, thermal imaging devices, and global positioning systems (GPS).

In addition, INL also assists Sindh Police with curriculum development, including specialised skills such as investigations, human rights, officer safety, and forensics.

Last year, INL had given six pickups for women police with 1,000 bulletproof jackets and helmets for the Sindh police.

INL assistance has equipped three women police stations in Karachi, supplying communications equipment, personal protective gear, first aid kits, coaster buses, vans, and pickup trucks.