By Dr AttaulWadoood
Lahore
Rewards and appreciation bolsters the performance of employees. This is true in every organization. When we analyze the working of Police department, we witness that despite the fact of doing extraordinary efforts of IGP Punjab Dr. Muhammad Usman Anwar, the police force has failed to deliver the justice to general public. The best thing is that incumbent IGP has presented the capabilities of Police officers working in different tiers. When we talk about welfare projects, diverse programs come into the notice of citizens. Police Khidmat Marakaz is a source of relief and respect for community. Tahaffuz centers are boon for transgender and vulnerable segment of society. Meesaq centers are source of protection for minorities.
All police stations of Punjab have been converted to the protocols of Special Initiative Police Stations. Registration of FIRs has been done on the receipt of application. There is no hassle in depositing application. The timelines have been defined. Moreover, the parties involved are being informed through social median before hand to avert any inconvenience and wastage of time.
As a Journalist, I astonished to know that police department has many Ph.D Doctors. Last year, rewards and certificates were distributed among them to rejuvenate them and give them impression to feel proud of hard earned prestigious degree. Recently, watched reward ceremonies on social media pages of IGP, felt bewildered to see that the office staff working on different seats was bereft of getting any sort of reward, because to my information, the reward SOP relates to solution of heinous offences.
With the advent of technology, it has become essential to co-opt the services of officers having knowledge of computer, technology, social media and artificial intelligence etc. Police officers are happy to get promotions and impeccable welfare in the shape of scholar ships and other financial benefits.
Through this writing, I want to suggest that police department claims very brilliant officers, even have PhD in different subjects. So, police high ups should consider constituting think tanks to research about ways and means of prevention/ detection of crime, effective homicide investigation, and reduction of gender based violence and modern investigation and operational models to follow to eradicate the crime. Furthermore, community engagement and abridging trust gap is essential. An educated police officer can do this uphill task in a meticulous manner.
Enhancing the police image is really necessary to restore lost confidence of public. Additionally, the appreciation of educated lot is equally important. Therefore, it is high time to acknowledge the high end qualification of police officers. In the first place, IGP should direct its training directorate and DIG IT to consolidate the list of M-phil and Ph.D Police officers.
It is encouraging that different scholarship programs have been initiated for the serving police officers and their children as well. It is witnessed through social media that officers are being encouraged who have educated their children and helped them to reach the coveted positions. Distributions of commendation certificate along with massive financial benefits are being given to brilliant students. To follow the appreciable initiatives, there is a need of the hour to apportion certain amount not less than one Lac should be awarded to Ph.D Police officer and should engage them to research on social issues, policing reformation and measures to combat and control crime.
Nevertheless, IGP Punjab Dr. Muhammad Usman Anwar has done remarkable for the officers who have combated crime with full vigor but along with appreciating the hard approach, it is really essential to engage educated police officers to display the literate face of Punjab Police. I have firm belief that police is doing its best to contain and curtail crime but there is a need to do a lot. So, IGP Punjab should call all PhD’s at CPO office and give them cash reward along with commendation certificate. This would be land mark achievement to give approbation to highly educated PhD police officers and citizens would get knowledge about the educated lot of Police department.
