IGP calls for improving performance of investigation department

Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon on Thursday held two separate meetings on the investigation department and progress in body-worn cameras by cops.

Officials said the police chief attended a programme organised by the investigation department titled ‘Reforms in the Investigation Department and implementation of IG Sindh's instructions in this regard’.

Karachi Additional IG Javed Alam Odho and investigation officers and officials of Karachi attended the meeting in large numbers. The police chief was given a detailed briefing on the Crime Scene Unit on behalf of the new department of Karachi Police, Fiscal Recognition Branch.

DIG Investigation Zulfiqar Mehar informed the event that an additional basic pay for investigation officers had started from October 1. Similarly, direct funding had also been made possible for the DSPs and SIOs.

It was said that these good initiatives would enhance efficiency and capabilities of the investigation department. DIG Mehar said funding of Rs2.846 million had been transferred directly to the investigation officers of the police stations.

The Karachi police chief said that if anyone asked what the future of the police was, he would say investigation. The investigation department was the identity of the police department, the IGP said, adding that all the authority that the law gave to the police pertained to investigations. The IGP was of the view that the use of latest technology in collecting evidence from the scene had improved significantly and the Police Station Record Management System should be upgraded further.

It was said that it was the prerogative of the investigation officer to make an investigation bill of up to Rs200,000.

The police chief said the identification parade of criminals was an important part of the investigations and officers associated with investigations should participate in departmental courses so that they could become experts. In another meeting, the IGP reviewed use, performance and benefits of body-worn cameras. The meeting was attended by the headquarters, IT and traffic DIGS and other officers.

The meeting was given a briefing by the IT and Traffic DIGs on the performance and use of body-worn cameras. It was said that the Sindh police had about 800 such cameras being used by 500 traffic cops and 300 operational police personnel.

The cameras had been facilitating people-friendly policing for the last two years, the DIG said, adding that the body-worn cameras were being used during challan ticketing, polio campaigns and other actions against violation of traffic rules.

It was said that the officer issuing challan now informs citizens about recording in the body-worn cameras before the challan. As a result, the process has led to a marked reduction in reported complaints against traffic police personnel. The IGP said the traffic police should continue to take action against those who did not have driving licences or those were speeding, or using coloured glasses and fake number plates.