URBANISATION means more people and more crime, and inevitably more police. So, last week two more police stations opened in Islamabad where the population has been increasing phenomenally with the expansion of regular and irregular residential areas. Islamabad’s Master Plan provided for a police station for each sector, but the plan has fallen by the wayside while the need has grown over the years.
Before last week’s addition of Loi Bher and Banigala police stations, there were 18 police stations in the federal capital territory, including the facility housing the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the capital police. Six of the 18 came up at Shahzad Town, Golra, Sabzi Mandi, Kural, Nilor and Ramna only during the last six years.
What is mind boggling is that despite all this expansion the strength of the Islamabad police has remained static. There has been no normal recruitment in the force since 2005, according to senior police officers.
In 2009, the capital police offered the posts of 400 constables and 111 assistant sub-inspectors and announced the names of those selected but their induction did not materialise because the interior minister allegedly wanted his nominees to be accommodated and the police hierarchy refused.
Induction of 300 army veterans and less than 100 family members of fallen police officers and men in the intervening period proved a saving grace, though barely. The army veterans were hired on contract, to be renewed every year. Their last contract expired a month ago and has not been renewed. They however continue performing their duties.
Where from the eight police stations established since 2005 then got their manpower when the force is so short of strength? Simply by cutting the strength of old police stations and departments like Rescue 15. Sihala, Kural, Bhara Kahu and Secretariat police stations had to shed 30 personnel each for the new Loi Bher and Banigala police stations. Rescue 15 is yet to contribute its share to them.
This attrition has naturally taken its toll on the overall efficiency and working of the police force and lowered its image.
It is not for nothing that the judiciary has justified acquitting accused terrorists and criminals by blaming poor investigation by police that fail to produce hard evidence for a conviction.
Senior police officers claim they do not have strength enough to patrol their precincts what to say of catching and investigating criminals. The situation is so desperate that they have started “reinstating” constables and inspectors who were suspended for dereliction of duty or misdemeanour – even for corruption and criminal activities.
“They number more than 100 but have been taken back on duty only temporarily to meet the shortfall in manpower,” a senior officer said defensively.
After all the tainted policemen will still be investigated for charges against them and their fate decided accordingly, he told Dawn.
Until then they carry on with their assigned duties that include guarding sensitive installations - with full pay and perks.
What else the poor force could do when it could not claim its own men. Last year, Islamabad police requested the provinces to return the nearly 400 personnel it had lent to them for the province’s own use or for deployment at federal institutions in the province. But the request met deaf ears.
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