RAWALPINDI: Out of the 635 trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) and assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), only 79 could qualify to join the six-week departmental course.

Those who were unable to pass the first exam would have to repeat the course. Police trainees securing less than 50 per cent marks are given two chances to repeat and clear the exam failing which they will be removed from service under the police rules.

During the ‘A’ course of three months, the probationer SIs and ASIs learn about the prosecution as they are posted to different civil and other courts, and later a final examination is held.

As the result of the ‘A’ course was announced, it was not less than a surprise for the candidates as well as their instructors and trainers that only 79 candidates could qualify the departmental exam.

Trainees securing less than 50pc marks are given two chances to clear exam failing which they are removed from service

Previously, the ‘A’ course exam used to be conducted at the district level but this year it was held at the Police Training College Lahore from Feb 18 to Feb 23 in which police probationers from across Punjab participated.

Likewise, 634 candidates had participated in the six-week-long ‘B’ course during which the police probationers learnt office work in the Police Lines Headquarters. However, only 36 candidates failed to pass the exam for course ‘B’ while the remaining 598 qualified the test.And 633 police probationers participated in the six-week-long ‘C’ course during which the trainees are posted to the Establishment Branch known as OSI Branch of each district. Of the 633 candidates, 324 qualified the course.

The trainee SIs and ASIs who could not qualify any of the A, B, C courses will not be allowed to attend the 20-month-long ‘D’ course.

According to police, the ‘A’ course starts after the probationers complete one year’s training at the Police College Sihala. The three-month ‘A’ course helps the officials gain knowledge of judicial system/prosecution under supervision of district and sessions judges.

And then, the six-week long ‘B’ course starts with working at the Establishment Branch which deals with posting and transfer of officials ranking from constables to inspectors. After this, the six-week-long ‘C’ course starts during which the trainees work in police offices.

After completing the three training courses, if the trainee officers qualify their exam, they are posted to different police stations to complete the 20-month-long operational training course called ‘D’ course.

Under the operational course, the trainee officials work as Muharrar for a period of two months assisting investigation officers and working as incharge of the police stations under direct supervision of the station house officers besides working as additional investigation officers for one year.

According to police rules, every probationer police officer has to complete one-year’s training course at Police College Sihala and after that they have to complete a three-month coursework called ‘A’ and then ‘B’ and ‘C’ courses.

The one-year training at Police College Sihala comprises basic policing, learning about police rules, practical work, investigation report writing and physical training in addition to elite force training.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2019