Team of ‘best’ police officers formed to tackle street crime

Taking notice of the rising number of street crime incidents, Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon has ordered strict implementation of the law, and he has tasked 67 “best” police officers for the purpose.

Officials said IGP Memon chaired an important meeting at the Central Police Office, Karachi, on Sunday. The meeting discussed the law and order situation in the city, and action against street criminals.

Memon pointed out that it is the job of the police to serve and protect the public. He asked that street crime being the biggest news of the city, who would crack down on it.

He said that the task of the most important cases has been assigned to 67 “best” officers of the city. These officials will arrest the suspects involved in killing people during muggings, he added.

He also said that Special Investigation Unit (SIU) SSP Adeel Chandio has been assigned this important task. The team comprises 60 officers of district police and seven of the SIU, he added.

The police chief said that cases of murders during muggings would automatically be transferred to the SIU, and they would work on them to arrest the suspects.

He said that another 60 officers would work against the suspects involved in all these cases, with each officer working on 10 to 12 cases per investigation.

He stressed that activities of criminals and killings upon resisting mugging attempts have increased, and such crimes have to be eradicated. He told the officers to step into the field and demonstrate their performance.

Memon said that killings of poor people in snatching incidents are intolerable. He said that investigation of cases of murders and injuries during muggings should be given to expert and talented investigation officers (IOs).

Moreover, he explained, SHOs and IOs would reach the spot on time, and the Crime Scene Unit would also preserve all the evidence. He pointed out that lists of IOs and special IOs have been made available to the SSPs.

He ordered that a revolving fund be established for investigations, and despite the provision of objective investigation cost, the initial amount in the fund will remain in place. He also ordered that special IOs be provided with modern equipment, computers, etc., and cases of murders and injuries during muggings be registered in consultation with the investigation SP and the IOs.

The IOs will be provided with a basic reward for performance in the investigation of the cases and the rate of convictions of the accused, said the police chief.

He said that performance reports of the IOs would be sent to the SSPs and the operations AIG, and the IOs would be awarded in the light of the reports. Those arrested for murders during muggings should be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated, he added.

He also said that the SSPs would personally verify the effectiveness of investigating such cases, and find out where the phones and motorbikes snatched in street crime incidents are being transported.

The IGP said officers with excellent performance would be given the position of SIO. He told his subordinates to tell him their needs openly. He promised to fully support them. He reminded them that the job of the police is to serve the people and provide justice.

He pointed out that avoiding and delaying the registration of FIRs are intolerable, warning that the relevant DSPs, SHOs and duty officers would be suspended in such cases. The police chief also ordered that the officers concerned visit the homes of the mugging victims, and express their condolences and sympathies to the victims and their families.

He said that considering the number of cases successfully completed and the rate of convictions of the accused, Rs500,000 would be awarded to the relevant SSPs, while the IOs would be provided with a basic reward.

He also said the provincial government would approve the Construction and Reward Policy, which is aimed at boosting the efficiency of the investigation department and the morale of the officers.

As the head of the provincial task force, the city police chief told the officers present in the meeting to initiate action against organised crime within a week, otherwise the Rapid Response Force and the Counter Terrorism Department would conduct raids.