Daily Times

There is no doubt that the novel coronavirus would emerge as a global epidemic. The pandemic has by now engulfed the entire world and it is rapidly changing the way every aspect of our society operates, including law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and the communities they serve. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on almost every facet of our lives as the virus continuous to spread across Pakistan; it affects everyone in the country. In Pakistan, the first responders, including police on the frontlines, are increasingly vulnerable to contracting the virus, while all LEAs are operational. LEAs including police are working day and night in the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic for the safety and the protection of the public.

During the pandemic, police has won the hearts of the public. In the history of Pakistan, first time public openly appreciates their efforts

The police are the key department of the country and they have had a tough time. Police officers are the first responders to any situation and are the essential problem solvers. The COVID-19 presents challenges which are associated with police response as public safety personnel. The police are being asked to rise to the challenge of helping to promote community health and safety while maintaining law and order. They are facing many challenges during the pandemic including physical and mental health risk and not to forget the financial issues. All the responsibilities are put on the shoulders of the police for controlling situation, deterring crime, safeguarding lives, reducing fear of crime and ensuring lockdown to maintain social order. At the same time, police officers are performing different duties from ensuring lockdown to implementing social distancing practices and providing securities to VVIPs. Likewise, police officers are standing on roads, markets and even performing duties outside quarantine centers. They are busy in ensuring lockdown across the country, engaged in warning the public, and conducting operations against criminals and drug peddlers. They are investigating different cases, attending courts and important meetings. They are taking action against kite flyers, for the activity has taken many lives but parents cannot stop their children from it. Importantly, it has been observed that police has been given task of creating awareness among the masses to educate them about staying at home, keeping safe distance at public places and refraining from shaking hands. On the other hand, police officers are conducting raids along with district administration against hoardings of grocery items, masks and selling of fake sanitizers. The police are performing extra ordinary duties and they are committed to delivering services at any cost.

It is cleared that the nature of the work of police is different as they cannot work from home and need to go to the field. Police officers cannot keep distance from society to keep themselves under quarantine. The police are working to balance enforcement priorities while ensuring the safety of their personnel. The police leadership should know about the professional challenges that the police personnel experience during the crisis. For the safety of police personnel, proactive safety precautions are essential to maintain healthy workforce. Police personnel lack personal protective equipment, for both the federal and provincial governments have not provided them. It is the core responsibility of governments to provide personal protective equipment to the front-liners including police personnel across the country. During the pandemic, police officers have also become infected from COVID-19. More than 100 police personnel in Pakistan are infected due to COVID-19. It’s a worrying situation that police officers are infected and governments must take serious notice and immediately provide PPEs and release funds.

During the pandemic, police has won the hearts of the public. In the history of Pakistan, first time public openly appreciates their efforts. During the COVID-19 crisis, police has taken public friendly initiatives which made history in the country. Policing has changed the wrong perceptions of public regarding police. With less facility and low salary, police officers from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan and the capital territory of Islamabad come forward to help public by distributing masks, sanitizers and ration to the door steps. Moreover, Punjab Police has taken revolutionary step and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Mr. Shoaib Dastagir has set up “Police Relief Fund for Corona Virus” at central police office (CPO) Lahore for helping affected citizens. In the police relief fund initiative, from constable to IG level officers have taken part and donated their salaries. It has been reported that so far Rs 55 million has been deposited in the relief fund. The main purpose of the relief fund is to facilitate 20 thousand affected families and provide relief to them. Punjab police have started the distribution of ration among the poor and affected families across the province. Such initiatives are commendable and these are filling the gaps between police and public. Everyone praises and appreciates police efforts. It is requested that the public should cooperate with the police during the crisis and stay at home. The public should acknowledge sincere efforts and sacrifices of the police because they are an integral part of the society and also human beings. The police work without complaints and perform tiring duties. I pray for the police officers and all the others who are infected from corona virus. May Allah protect all of us from this virus, Ameen. Salam Police!!

and I am working voluntarily on Police Reforms in Pakistan & also member of Pakistan Police Reforms Think Tank (Internet based)