The KP Police reforms have three main dimensions including reformation of ‘Thana Culture’, capacity building and community policing. Behavioral and attitudinal changes were crucial for reforming the ‘Thana Culture’ of KP Police. Six specialized schools are playing a key role in the capacity building of KP police. The trainings in these specialized schools are provided in a focused way where case studies are also used to meet the participants’ needs. The School of Intelligence has significantly improved the intelligence gathering and spot analysis skills of KP police and has thus addressed the issues hampering counter-terrorism and crime-control roles of police. The citizens who have interacted with the police after reforms so far have found visible changes and are all-praise for the reformation.
These were the remarks made by participating police officials during a consultative meeting of working groups on police reforms in Charsadda. The meeting was a part of the project “Ulasi Police”, which is an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors’ Fund Program – to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating the significant police reforms aimed at incorporating local communities’ policing needs and international human rights standards. The endeavor aims to tackle the trust deficit between the public and police, help KP police become an accountable and community-focused police force.
Mr. Nazir Khan, DSP City, Charsadda said that the policing could be successful only if it was inclusive of the communities. With the services like Police Access Service (PAS) and Police Assistance Lines (PAL), the citizens can easily avail access to justice and seek help from the highest possible police authorities. Public Liaison Councils (PLCs) are also instrumental in building linkages between the public and police. He also said that the recruitment in police through NTS system has yield better results. The initiatives like Criminal Record Verification System (CRVS), Identity Verification System (IVS), and Vehicle Verification System (VVS) are some important developments to achieve the milestones for crime control and public facilitation.
Syed Iftikhar Shah, DSP Headquarters, Charsadda said that the KP Police has transformed from police force to police service. The utilization of public services on offer by the police is also increasing day by day. The communities should realize their roles and civic responsibilities in strengthening rule of law in KP. They have a significant role to play in crime prevention, crime detection, and law and order maintenance.
The participating members of community said that all these reforms were commendable but there was a dire need to disseminate them and educate the common people about their utilization. The Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) must include female members for interaction with the female complainants. They, however said that the KP Police was now ever more friendly and cooperative.
Both the working group members concurred with each other on the need to run awareness campaign around the issues of aerial firing and menace of interest on private loans.