Every time a new public sector project is launched, it is bound to attract criticism -- from different civil society groups, experts in the related field as well as the common man, and sometimes just the naysayers. Dolphin Force (DF) has been no exception.

Launched amid much hoopla in April this year -- even though it was earlier slated for a May 31, 2014 launch -- by the government of Punjab, the DF has received mixed response, especially from the public who can’t seem to decide what is the purpose of these boys riding highly expensive, 500 CC heavy bikes, and zooming up and down the streets all decked out in the most expensive police gear.

You always spot them in pairs, which confuses the people further, as does the choice of the name of the Force. Six months on, they are still trying to understand their utility, especially in the presence of Mujahid Force and Elite Force, and also their productivity. So, is it just another police force tasked to fight street crimes? Or, the boys are supposed to act as an intermediary force between the Rescue 1122 and the regular police cops?

So far, the public is enjoying the eye-candy value. As Rahila Jahanzaib, a student of the University of Central Punjab, puts it, "The Dolphin Force guys look uber cool!"

However, when asked to describe the Force’s utility, she couldn’t say much.

For Ghulam Rasool, who is waiting to catch the next bus to Dharampura, "…perhaps, it’s the new commando force in town."

Yet another person, outside a famous shopping mall, comments: "It’s another frivolous project [by the government] to squander away the public money in the garb of public good."

Dr Ghias Minhaj, a social scientist, is of the view that if the DF had been launched after a full-fledged media campaign and multi-pronged rehearsals, its proper image and functionality would become clear to the common people. "It’s sad that, months after it was launched, the Dolphin Force should still be looking for an identity of its own."

Initially, the Force created an impression of being an uncorrupt and efficient outfit. But, that image was soon dashed to pieces when, in random incidents, the DF cops were found guilty of taking bribe, resorting to misconduct, and causing a road accident that killed one.

The Punjab government founded Dolphin Force on the pattern of the Turkish National Police with the aim to curtail street crimes. A staggering Rs1,192 million was allocated for the purpose.

As per the original plan, the DF is composed of around 5,000 officials. The total strength of the 500 CC bikes is 700. The DF includes, in the first phase, a 700-personnel fleet, armed with high-end weapons (Berretta pistol and MP-5 rifles), special helmets that come inbuilt with Bluetooth; android phones, American-made handcuffs, macroscopic combat tool, advanced footwear and state-of-the-art goggles.

HD CCTV cameras and other modern communication facilities are also going to be attached to their uniform soon. The Dolphin Police Lines, to be constructed on Walton Road, Lahore, at an estimated cost of Rs331.000 million, has also been approved.

In an exclusive chat, the Superintendent Police (SP) Dolphin Force, Syed Qarar Hussain says, "In Turkey, a similar force was set up in 1993 to fight street crimes. Considering its success and its alignment with the streets of Lahore, the DF was created."

Hussain explains that the DF is a "specialised force, also called Patrolling Unit and Street Crime Unit. It aims to create a sense of security among the masses, safeguard their life and property, and also help to restore friendly ties and trust between the public and the police."

Moreover, the Force is "rooted in community policing. It serves the people by helping them get to their destinations safely.

"It has a 4 to 5 minutes’ response time to reach the victim," he claims.

Sharing a quarterly analysis, Hussain says that the street crime graph dipped by approximately 50 per cent in the months of April and May compared to these months last year. "Though the city witnesses a surge in crime rate during the month of Ramzan, it plummeted to 30 per cent this year. We have an almost consolidated crime graph of the months of July and August and shall make them public soon in order to sensitise the common man about the Dolphin Force’s phenomenal achievements.

"Out of a total of 277 territorial beats (deployment and working areas), the Dolphin Force is active in just 110 beats right now, but it has taken everyone by surprise."

The salary of a DF cop is Rs22,000 a month. Additionally, the Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif is said to have approved Rs10,000 monthly allowance.

DIG (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf says that the Dolphin Force is equipped with Lahore Police Apps that record vehicular movement, attendance, checking procedures, interactions, 15 calls’ response time, and their daily performance during the official 8-hour duty. The entire system is soon to be linked with "IC3" of Punjab Police Integrated Command and Control Communications Centre to optimise their performance.

"The Force has nothing to do with law and order, mob control and VIP security. In fact, its sole purpose is to patrol the streets using Android-powered smartphones that help them track any vehicle by just entering its number. The apps automatically tell you if the vehicle is genuine."

According to the latest SoPs of the police, the DF is prohibited to set up police pickets for checking. "If an official spots a mysterious vehicle, instead of stopping the vehicle, he is supposed to follow it with the help of the smartphone application."