KARACHI: Sindh police during 2016 has not only worked to reduce the crime rate in the province, but has also introduced many positive steps within police department, said annual report issued on Monday. The annual report stated that Sindh police recruited almost 10,000 cops, promoted 282 inspectors to the rank of DSP and 870 sub-inspectors to the rank of inspectors in 2016. To ensure transparency, the new appointments were made on merit by taking Pakistan Army and Citizens-Police Liaison Committee on board and through National Testing Service. Besides, for the first time, Sindh police has drafted a comprehensive recruitment and seniority policy and also streamlined seniority in all ranks of Sindh Police. The Sindh Police Recruitment Board and the Sindh Police Welfare Board were formed in 2016. The revival of the Benevolent Fund was also part of last year’s development programmes. Other achievements included the disposal of the pending financial compensation cases, revamping of the investigation department, the counter-terrorism department, and the Special Branch and procurement of 3G and 4G locators for the CTD. A special pay package was prepared for the training branch. Apart from that, the other major achievements included the increasing of the compensation for the heirs of cops killed in the line of duty from Rs 2 million to Rs 5 million. An information technology cadre was created in the police department with 2,500 IT professionals. The cadre was approved and appointments will start soon. Besides, the Sindh police also set up a new driving licensing system and state-of-the-art reporting rooms and facilitation centres to improve the police image and address public grievances. The human resource management and criminal record management systems were automated and the CCTV camera surveillance system in Karachi was revived. Over 900 cops were recruited on deceased cops’ quota. The recruitment of 935 ASIs is also under way through the Sindh Public Service Commission exams and will be completed soon. Over 1,100 ex-army personnel were recruited to form the special protection unit for the security of CPEC projects. The SPSC has advertised for the recruitment of law graduates for the post 170 legal inspectors and 200 investigation inspectors. The department in its report said all major events in the province took place peacefully and police managed to the keep the law and order situation under control. The process for appointment of 500 ASIs and 1,000 constables for the counter-terrorism department is still under way. Around 500 constables are added to the rapid response force and further recruitment is under process.