LAHORE: Mass transfers in the run-up to the general elections have put the Punjab caretaker government in a fix, making the assessment of officials’ credentials a daunting task before offering them postings.

The major reshuffle at police station level is one such example as a majority of officials of “tainted” repute have been posted as station house officers in the provincial capital.

The statistics available with Dawn showed a gloomy picture in this respect as the official documents revealed that 81 out of the total 84 SHOs recently appointed by the police high-ups in Lahore faced several suspensions or dismissals during their service. Many of them also have criminal record besides “bad points” awarded to them in respect of serious nature complaints against them.

The provincial capital police had received nearly 200 police inspectors from other districts, divisions and regions to serve in Lahore as SHOs and heads of investigation wing at police station level ahead of general elections.

From amongst them, the police authorities shortlisted and appointed 84 inspectors as SHOs, the official documents said.

Vetting officials’ credentials a daunting task; of 84 SHOs posted recently, only three have ‘spotless’ record

Capital Police Officer (CCPO) BA Nasir defended his position saying that since the percentage of awarding departmental punishments to the field force is unprecedentedly high, the senior police management have limited choice to shortlist cops having ‘spotless’ record to give important assignments.

“Presently, above 60,000 police officials (upper and lower subordinates) of the total Punjab police were getting major and minor punishments every year,” the CCPO said adding that since the percentage was tremendously high, the availability of ‘honest’ police officials has appeared to be a challenging task for the high-ups.

“Even then we did our utmost to shortlist best of the best from amongst the 200 inspectors provided to the Lahore police to post them as SHOs and in-charge investigation,” Mr Nasir said.

For this purpose, he had constituted a committee of 10 SPs, besides operations SSP to shortlist best available officials.

Operations DIG Shahzad Akbar headed the committee which worked hard day and night, held a series of interviews and shortlisted SHOs keeping in view their previous record.

“We did this enormous task within a limited time,” the CCPO said adding that the appointments were made after getting approval from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

On the other hand, the official documents unveiled many interesting facts. Of the total SHOs posted in Lahore, 31 have faced suspension for more than five times while five others for more than 10 times during their service.

The documents said 19 SHOs posted at many important police stations of the city were having criminal record.

The Civil Lines Police Station has been rated as most sensitive one among many others in the provincial capital for housing several important government offices including Chief Minister Secretariat, Governors House, etc.

The newly-appointed inspector heading this police station as SHO was having four criminal records besides facing five-time suspensions and two-time dismissal.

In an important official practice, the police officials are awarded “good and bad points” to prepare their service record before considering them for important assignments.

The Civil Lines SHO secured “41 bad and 11 good points” as mentioned against his service record in the documents.

Similarly, five newly-appointed SHOs in the city have been dismissed from service for more than 10 times during their professional career.

Almost same is the situation with many other SHOs. Like, the Lorry Adda SHO faced six suspensions, secured 29 bad points besides having two criminal records.

Likewise, the Qila Gujjar Singh SHO faced six suspensions and two dismissals, Mozang SHO 10 suspensions, one dismissal, Garhi Shahu SHO 13 suspensions with one criminal record, Mughalpura SHO 10 suspensions with one criminal record, Factory Area SHO six suspensions, one dismissal and 28 bad points, Harbanspura SHO eight suspensions and 55 bad points, Naulakha SHO eight suspensions one dismissal and 33 bad points, Bhati Gate SHO seven suspensions, 27 bad points, Tibbi City SHO two dismissals, 28 bad points, Lower Mall SHO 12 suspensions, 36 bad points, Ravi Road SHO five suspensions with 23 bad points, Sabzazar SHO 12 suspensions with one criminal record, Sundar SHO six suspensions with 14 bad points, Hanjarwal SHO seven suspensions with 29 bad points and one criminal record, Nishtar Colony SHO seven suspensions, one dismissal with one criminal record, Model Town SHO five suspensions, 21 bad points, Garden Town SHO five suspensions, two dismissals with 40 bad points, Ichhra SHO faced 13 suspensions and secured 45 bad points.

Almost same is the case with many other SHOs including those of Faisal Town, Kot Lakhpat, Samanabad, Millat Park, Sanda, Lytton Road and Old Anarkali.

According to the documents, there were only three newly-appointed SHOs out of the total 84 who were having ‘clean’ service record with no suspension and dismissal.

The CCPO was of the view that the best solution to make available ‘honest’ and ‘spotless’ police officials in the field was to revisit the policy of awarding them major departmental punishments on “minor complaints.”

He said for the last four years or so, the number of cops appointed against field postings who secured departmental punishments, remained above 60,000 annually.

Published in Dawn, July 06th, 2018