Daily Times

LAHORE: A meeting on Wednesday reviewed the crime situation of the province and evolved a strategy of preventive policing, particularly for the protection of women and children, arrest of hardened criminals, revamping of Elite Police and security arrangements for elections of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A Regional Police Officers (RPO) Conference was held at the Central Police Office on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera.

The conference reviewed the security arrangements and deployment of force on the elections of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in detail. The IG was informed that for the protection and security of the 414,141 voters at 828 polling stations established in 30 districts of the Punjab, 11,964 police officers and officials of the department would remain alert on duty. These officers/officials would include 29 SPs, 103 DSPs, 208 inspectors, 516 sub-inspectors, 810 assistant sub-inspectors, 584 head constables, 6,609 constables and 2,981 police volunteers.

The conference reviewed in detail the crime situation of the province for the last six months and expressed satisfaction, as heinous crimes, especially murder cases, witnessed significant reduction when compared to last year.

It was informed that terrorism/suicide attacks/sectarian incidents also witnessed reduction by a staggering 55 percent. In 2015, it was told in the conference, there were 11 cases and in 2016, there were only five cases registered against these heads.

Similarly, murder cases reduced by 5 percent, kidnapping for ransom by 61 percent, robbery with murder 8 percent, dacoity 36 percent, robbery 20 percent, vehicle snatching 25 percent, and vehicle theft by 9 percent.

The conference also finalised the strategy of preventive policing to control the overall crime, particularly against women and children, with a view to ensure the 100% security in the province.

The IG also directed the field officers to update the record of hardened proclaimed absconders so that their arrest could be ensured. It was also decided that the Elite Police Force would be revamped to improve its performance and standards. The field officers told the IG that Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) has been completed and all posting and transfers are being made through this system.

Mushtaq Sukhera said that with the help of this system, the department could provide relief to the public by saving their money and time.

He also directed the field officers to ensure the implementation on all information technology projects of Punjab Police so that through digitised policing, the department could enter the modern era.