May 20, 2016: The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) has successfully broadcast the maiden episodes of its new flagship radio program “Ulasi Police” in the districts of Mardan, Peshawar and Charsadda on the theme of “Reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police”.
“Ulasi Police” is an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center – as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors’ Fund Program – to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating 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 guest participants included:
Mr. Shafi Ullah Gandapur, Superintendent Police (SP) Operations, Mardan; Inspector Muhammad Luqman, Station House Officer (SHO) Toru Mardan; and Mr. Musarat Assi, Senior Journalist, for the first program aired on May 17, 2016 from Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM-92.6, Mardan.
Mr. Abbas Majid Marwat, Senior Superintendent Police (SP) Operations, Peshawar; Mr. Muhammad Arif, Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Cantt., Peshawar; and Mr. Shahab Uddin, Senior Journalist, for the radio program aired on May 18, 2016 from Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM-92.2 Peshawar.
Mr. Sohail Khalid, District Police Officer (DPO) Charsadda; Mr. Nazir Ahmad, Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP), Charsadda; and Mr. Muhammad Zahid Khan, Senior Journalist, for the “Ulasi Police” aired on May 19, 2016 from Radio Dilber, FM-93, Charsadda.
All three shows attempted to discuss the significant reforms in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police over the last few years, gauged the awareness among general public and their perspectives about these reforms and performance of police, and how they have brought about changes in the attitudes and behaviors of police towards public due to continuous trainings and capacity building. The discussions also covered Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) and their benefits as well as the Model Police Stations.
Several live calls during the show – appreciative of the behavior and new procedures of police force and department respectively – manifested that the fears to approach police when people faced a serious situation had decreased.
The participating police officers were of the view that the department has changed from a force to a service entity. Their capability has enhanced but without public support, they cannot sustain that. Policemen are also from the society and they need public support in every respect.
Three field based research stories were also aired during the shows; one each from district Peshawar, Mardan, and Charsadda. The reports shared views of public, lawyers, police officers, and intelligentsia about the reforms in KP police and their practical implementation in the respective regions.