The KP Police is reforming itself rapidly but the public at-large are unaware of these reforms. The endeavors aim to improve public service; reforming the ‘thana culture’ and removing the political influence over the police. One of the significant outcomes of police reforms is 60 to 70% decline in terrorist activities and up to 40% reduction of crimes in the area. The improvement in the law and order has helped police concentrate on improving its public service. As part of the accountability mechanisms established in KP Police, the recruitment process is being carried out in a transparent manner; through NTS and the promotion system has been linked with performance. The SHOs are accountable to Village and Neighborhood Councils, DSPs are accountable to Tehsil Councils and DPOs are answerable to District Councils.
These were the remarks made by Mr. Sohail Khalid, DPO Charsadda during a public forum on police reforms at District Council Hall, Charsadda. Mr. Fahad Azam, District Nazim, Charsadda, Mr. Musawar Shah, Naib Nazim, Charsadda, Mr. Qasim Ali Khan, Opposition Leader, District Assembly and Haji Riaz, District Councilor and JI leader also spoke on the occasion. The event was participated well by the members of community with diverse backgrounds including lawyers, local government representatives, media, academia and youth representatives. The forum was part of the project “Ulasi Police” 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.
The DPO Charsadda said that the most prominent feature of KP police reforms is KPPO 2016 which is an attempt to institutionalize all these significant steps that have been taken to incorporate the public’s policing needs. He added that the tenant information system and its database have helped controlling the crimes in the area greatly. One the community policing front, the initiative of Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs); providing alternate dispute resolution system is of a great significance. This system has reduced the burden of cases on both the police and judiciary, and has relieved and provided speedy justice to the poor who can’t afford the formalities of legal justice system by solving the disputes of civil nature. The Public Liaison Committees, another initiative in this regard fosters public-police collaboration for crime control and identification of other issues of local nature.
He noted that the initiatives like Identity Verification System (IVS), Vehicle Verification System (VVS) and Criminal Record Verification System (CRVS) are at the core of technological innovations as part of police reforms, and have not only helped the police in controlling crimes but also facilitated the public. The virtues of Police Access Service (PAS) is the accessibility of top police officials within short span of time. The Model Police Station and Police Assistance Lines (PAL) with several dedicated services for citizens also aim to provide relieving environment to the incoming complainants unlike the distressing environment previously. Capacity building of KP police has a special significance in police reforms. Several specialized schools have been established in this regard; training the selected police officials from almost all the police departments on mandatory courses.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of KP Police is another success story; actively and exclusively working to root out terrorism in the society. The forensic science lab has been improved greatly and proving extremely instrumental in critical investigations.
The District Nazim, Mr. Fahad Azam said that public should realize and acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices laid by the KP Police in WoT; going above and beyond the call of their duties. The public; especially the LG members should extend maximum cooperation to the police in maintaining law and order in the society. He assured that the police today in KP is free from any sort of political influence and operationally autonomous and accountable.