Inspector General of Police Punjab, Zia ul Hassan Khan on Monday vowed to make the Chief Minister's 'Mahfooz Punjab Programme' a complete success by providing effective protection to the life and property of the masses.
In an interview with APP, he described protecting the life and property of citizens, improving law and order and initiating an intensified crackdown on crime and criminals as his top priorities.
All out efforts would be made to improve the image and perception of the police force in the society by introducing community policing, he said and added that CM had given a free hand to flush out and combat criminals to make Punjab a truly Mahfooz (safe) province.
"It is expected that the experiment of police duty in two shifts and community policing, will help a lot in improving police performance and helping them live up to the aspirations of the people" he said.
Responding to a query, he said Punjab Police was not short of funds, the need was to utilise the funds in a better and judicious manner. Mahfooz Punjab Programme would be kicked off soon and the concept would be introduced at the police station level where all citizens would be accorded due respect irrespective of their social standing.
Zia ul Hassan said that heightened vigilance would also be introduced in the province to evaluate performance of the force with reference to addressing public complaints and checking the crime rate in their respective areas.
To a question he said that no unlawful or extra judicial act would be tolerated while professionalism in the working of the investigation wing would be improved and made transparent
"For the welfare of the police force, proper boarding, lodging and mess facilities will be provided on the pattern of those provided to Pakistan Army and Motorway Police so that the force could perform their duties properly. Available logistic and monetary resources will he exploited judiciously and at optimum level to get the best results," he added.
IG said that police personnel would be imparted a one-week capacity building course in batches, for their grooming, to improve their attitude and behaviour towards citizens. Families of martyred police officials would be compensated promptly and properly looked after.
Zia ul Hassan said police stations, which were the focal point of the entire police system had been equipped with necessary equipment and being provided wireless-fitted jeeps.