SANGHAR, Oct 23: Taking bribe or harming anyone on pretext of low salary is no excuse and people entertaining such ideas should leave the department, the Additional Inspector General of Police police, Asad Ashraf Malik, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 126th passing out parade of trainee policemen at the Police Training College, Shahdadpur, the AIG urged the police cadets to instil respect in the hearts of the people instead of fear.

He said the policemen should ponder over why the people do not respect them despite the fact that many policemen lay down their lives in the line of duty besides protect the lives and property of the people.

Some 1,200 constables, head constables, assistant sub- inspectors and sub-inspectors passed the upper, intermediate and lower courses.

The DIG (Training and Inspections) Bin Yamin Khan, and the principal of the college, Rukhsar Ahmed Khawar, were also present on the occasion.

Malik expressed his confidence that the Police Ordinance 2002 will improve the performance of the police.

The ordinance accorded vast powers to the police but reminding the policemen that its misuse carried three-year imprisonment.

Those, who were given awards for distinguished performance, include SI Ghulam Murtaza, ASI Muhammad Afzal, SI Nawab Khan, lady SI Zohra Shah of Sukkur in upper course, HC Allah Diwayo, HC Qalandar Bux, HC Riaz Ali, HC Abid Hussain in intermediate course, PC Ghulam Hussain, Munawar Ali, Rafique Ahmed, HC Zafar Ali were awarded in the lower course.

A mock agitation as well as a police encounter with bandits was also staged.

While talking to journalists, Mr Malik said that separation of operational and investigations departments will improve the police department’s working.

He also said that 383 new vehicles had been approved for the police force, which would reach the districts soon.