LAHORE, Sept 15: Punjab police IGP Ziaul Hasan Khan has announced introduction of new measures at police stations in an effort to improve public dealing and police image. According to a police spokesman, the IGP has issued an order to all DIGs to appoint a graduate duty officer of sub-inspector rank in place of ‘muharrars’ at each police station for public dealings from Oct 1.

Separate officers will be appointed for day and night duties who will be selected by the DPOs. The order also adds that the environment of reporting rooms of police stations must be changed by providing new furniture besides proper maintenance of PS record and making telephone in order.

The order further said that apart from the seat of muharrar, a corner furnished with new furniture will be maintained for duty officer in the reporting room with comfortable seating and cold drinking water for citizens visiting the reporting rooms of police stations.

The duty officer will record verbal and written demands of a complainant in a register and after arranging his meeting with the police employee concerned inform the complainant about the next proceeding. He will also record the final action taken after fulfilling the required formalities in the register. If the duty officer feels that the issue of complainant is necessary to be brought down to the notice of senior officer, he should do the needful after seeking necessary guideline from the senior officer.

The order also wants the duty officer that in case the grievance of a complainant is not redressed during his duty hours, he must brief the next duty officer about the problem of the complainant for ensuring its resolution.

Every duty officer will be bound to ensure the solution to the problem of the complainant to its logical end. He must not evade and postpone the matter unnecessarily.—APP