PESHAWAR: Sitting at the Central Police Office in the provincial capital or even travelling abroad, the Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa inspector general of police (IGP) would be able to see what police officials do in police stations. This is not at the planning stage, rather the IGP has already started observing activities at the Gulbahar Police Station on the screen of his cellular phone.
Eight close circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at the urban Gulbahar Police Station, one each at the office of station house officer, moharrar, the lockup and five others in and around the building.A similar security and vigilance system has been introduced at the East Cantonment Police Station.The installation of the CCTV cameras at all the police stations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, numbering more than 200, is part of the over 30 initiatives taken by the incumbent IGP Ihsan Ghani under the agenda of reforming the police force.
However, it remains to be seen as to how much the IGP and the provincial government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led by Pervez Khattak are committed to its implementation.“After the CCTVs are installed at all the police stations, the IGP, the DIGs and the DPOs will be able to monitor it from their offices,” said Ihsan Ghani in an interview with The News.
The official is looking for installation of the solar electricity system at all the police stations, so that their cameras, fans, lights and radios continue functioning during loadshedding.“The female counters at over 60 police stations of the province have started receiving complaints. It is doing well to help the complainants, who would be reluctant to discuss problems with policemen in the past,” said Ihsan Ghani, an officer of the 11th Common Training Programme.
The IGP said the force is looking to increase compensation package for the slain policemen, so that the family of a cop killed in an encounter with terrorists or criminals face no problem in having a better life.Projects have also been initiated for the welfare of the cops, including reducing duty hours by introducing shift system, providing them basic facilities at police stations.“We are planning to get good officers posted against key positions. The culture of shoulder promotion and out of turn promotions is being discouraged. A policy has been announced regarding the posting of officers from the rank of SP down to constables to uproot corruption and bring an end to misuse of powers,” said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief.
To keep a check on corruption, vigilance committees of well reputed elders are being set up at the local level. Also, committees at the range and province levels have been formed to take action against the corrupt officials, who will be administered strict punishments, including expulsion from service and lodging of cases against them.“We are focusing on training of traffic cops, investigators and arranging short courses for moharrars and others. Colleges and schools have been notified for the purpose that have started functioning to improve the skills of the cops in specific fields,” Ihsan Ghani said.
Educated and trained moharrars have been deployed at police stations and have been strictly directed to be polite with the complainants and register the FIR whoever comes.The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are also planning to have a specialised intelligence wing to bust the network of militants and criminals. The force is also planning to recruit specialist investigators and traffic wardens as sub-inspectors to improve the investigation and traffic system.
“We have forwarded a case to the government and after its approval, we will hire specialist investigators and traffic managers as sub-inspectors. They will be having own wings and will be able to go to the top on the basis of performance,” the IGP said.“The online FIR registration system is doing very well. It has received a number of calls, after which we have lodged 44 FIRs at various police stations,” Ihsan Ghani said, adding the force is also going to launch its own FM radio “Pasban” in a few days.The RJs of the radio will not only inform the motorists about traffic accidents and road blockades to take another route but will also take live complaints against any police station in the province. – Nation
