IGP tells Special Branch to set up its own criminal database

Sindh police chief IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon on Thursday chaired a review meeting about the registration and the usage of crime data in the Police Station Record Management System (PSRMS). The IGP also launched an app for verifying certificates and applying for arms licences.

The meeting was briefed by the Crime & Investigation Branch DIG about the implementation and use of FIRs, case challans, investigations, judicial proceedings and other necessary measures.

In the PSRMS, a comprehensive plan has been prepared for the timely registration of FIRs for the registration of judicial proceedings and their effective monitoring. Officers and staff are being deployed in all the divisions of the province for data registration and monitoring. Moreover, comprehensive recommendations are being made regarding the availability of manpower and technical equipment required to make the system fully functional.

IGP Memon said that with the full activation of this system, the investigation of registered cases, monitoring of court proceedings and the performance of the officers of the investigation department would be monitored and covered on a daily basis.

The investigation and court proceedings to be conducted after the registration of the FIR will be required to be updated by the investigating officer concerned in the application. The police chief said that after the registration in the PSRMS, the Crime & Investigation Department would digitally monitor the investigation of the case and judicial proceedings under the IO concerned.

The purpose of introducing and enabling this system is to eliminate unnecessary delays in the disposal, investigation and other necessary legal proceedings of cases, and to make the monitoring of all the stages of cases effective.

The system will not only monitor the investigation of cases but also establish a digital data bank and introduce modern technology reforms in the sector. Memon said that the implementation of reforms would also introduce innovative and contemporary strategies in the sector. The departments concerned should make comprehensive recommendations for the approval and verification measures of the Sindh government regarding the resources and manpower required to make the system functional and capable.

Later, the IGP launched the verification app during his visit to the Special Branch. Covering the details of the features and the usefulness of the app, the Special Branch DIG said people would be able to submit applications online for facilities like arms licences, airport entry pass jobs, character certificate verification, etc.

He also gave details of all the activities of the Special Branch as well as the anti-crime measures taken by the department. He said that compared to last year, there has been a clear decrease in incidents of street crime in Karachi.

He added that effective intelligence against organised crime has also reduced the smuggling of drugs and other contraband. He also said that the prevention of such crimes has been made possible due to non-discriminatory reporting and effective accountability against the organised crime nexus.

The DIG said that as a result of the Special Branch’s report against scrap dealers, several suspects were arrested, and due to the effective measures of the Special Branch, the groups involved in IMEI tampering of stolen and snatched mobile phones were detected, resulting in a significant reduction in such crimes.

He also said that the verification system app has been started by the Special Branch for the convenience of the public. The IGP said the Special Branch needs to set up its own digital data bank against criminals and criminal gangs at present.

He pointed out that this way the Special Branch’s performance would not only become more effective but also more extraordinary in measures such as crime prevention. Memon said the Special Branch should prepare proposals for an effective strategy to develop Sindh along modern lines, equip it with modern technology and innovation, and send necessary steps for review so that the Special Branch can be restructured keeping in view the contemporary needs.

“We also need to take advantage of technological and digital intelligence, including human intelligence, against crime, because at present the use of modern equipment and technology is an important weapon in the prevention of crime.”