IG steps up collective decisions in police

Aug 05, 2011

 

LAHORE, Aug 4: Inspector General (IG) Javed Iqbal issued on Thursday four orders to initiate a collective decision making and strengthen institutional mechanism for effective implementation of policies of the police department.

He did so being the provincial police officer under the Police Order of 2002.

At a ceremony held at the Punjab police headquarters, the IG approved Police Executive Board (PEB), Policy Consultative Committee (PCC), Information Circulars (ICs) and Procedures for Promulgation of Administrative Instruments (PPAIs) with immediate effect.

Sources privy to the development told Dawn that the IG, being ex-officio secretary of the Punjab government, had issued first time those administrative ‘standing’ orders after the police order which gave a maximum autonomy to the police department in administrative and financial matters.

Sources said earlier IGs used to issue standing orders about police decisions without using the police order and involving police hierarchy.

A senior police officer, who participated in the signing ceremony, told this reporter the issue of four standing orders by the IG aimed at making collective decisions over police matters and strengthening institutional mechanism of the department.

He said now efforts would be made to adopt the unanimous decisions by maximum involving police officers to improve police functioning and police image in the eyes of people.

According to an official handout, standing orders are as under:

PEB: The IG will be the head of the PEB whereas all departmental heads will be its members. All regional, city, divisional and district police officers will be called for the board meeting if necessary. The board will meet once in a month officially but in case of any urgent issue required immediate consultancy could be called earlier. The office of the Punjab additional IG will be the board’s secretariat and it will work as the IG’s cabinet.

Strategic inputs on public safety, preparation of legislation and administrative regulations will be the prime responsibilities of the board. The board will also advise the provincial police officer on policy issues regarding annual provincial policing plan, administration report, budgetary and development proposals.

The board will also recommend the appropriate policies to deal with complex operational challenges/situations that cut across administrative and institutional boundaries with the Punjab police system.

PCC: Pursuant to the provisions of section 10(3) of Police Order of 2002, the provincial police officer, for the purpose of strengthening coordination at the Punjab Police headquarters toward the achievement of strategic priorities of policing in the province, hereby establishes a Policy Consultative Committee.

The committee is to provide a permanent forum for the executive board whose responsibility to assist the IG in advisory capacity in the discharge of responsibilities entrusted to him as the Chief Administrator.

The committee will hold formal and informal consultation with relevant stakeholders to adopt comprehensive policies, proposals and recommendations on the issues.

PPAI: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 10(3) of Police Order 2002, the provincial police officer, for purpose of establishing in Punjab police, a more effective and efficient system of administrative instruments and procedures for the promulgation and publication of such instruments, promulgates the Procedures for Promulgation of Administrative Instruments.

The standing order consists of categories of administrative instruments, entry into force and effect of administrative instruments, the PPO’s standing orders, standing instructions, review and amendment, responsibility for control and clearance, procedures for the implementation of the present standing order and final provisions.

It will explain the procedures for the implementation of the decisions adopted by the board.

ICs: Information Circulars will contain general information on, or explanation of, established rules, policies and procedures, as well as isolated announcements of one-time or temporary interests. But they shall not be used for promulgating new rules, policies or procedures.The ICs shall be issued by the DIG headquarters or by such other official to whom the PPO has delegated specific authority. The central registry shall maintain a register of all information circulars, indicating the date of issue and expiry and the subject matter.

(Daily Dawn)

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