LAHORE - The first batch of 350 recruits of Dolphin Force will complete its training at the Chuhng police training center by the end of this month.
A senior officer yesterday said the personnel of Dolphin Force are being imparted seven week training comprising professional courses, weapon, and motorcycle handling “on special tracks at the training center”.
The Punjab government had approved, last year, the rare patrolling force for Lahore on the pattern of Turkish Dolphin Police to control street crimes.
Accompanied by DIG (Operations) Haider Ashraf, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Amin Wains briefed the police hierarchy about the progress on the project of Dolphin Force at the central police office.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera chaired the conference while Additional-IGs and DIGs were also present on this occasion.
According to a police spokeswoman, the regional police officers and district police officers joined the conference through video-link.
The officers also reviewed security arrangements for Muharram, progress on Police Response Unit (PRU) project and the promotions structure of police drivers and wireless operators during the meeting.
The provincial police chief was informed that a comprehensive security plan was put in place for Muharram and all the field officers are ordered to follow the standard operating procedure devised by the central police office.
Lahore operations police chief, DIG Haider Ashraf told the conference that at least 160 motorbikes of 500-CC are handed over to the Lahore police in the first phase. Another 140 heavy bikes are in the process of allotment, he said.
Haider Ashraf also informed the meeting that “under the Police Response Unit project at least 110 vehicles including 82 latest model smart-cars are patrolling on roads across Lahore to check street crimes”.
A beat officer of the rank of ASI is the in-charge of the four-member patrolling team which includes a driver and two gunmen.
The smart-cars are equipped with digital cameras, megaphones, first-aid kits, traffic cones, rain shoes, and water bottles. “The new vehicles have the capacity to ensure quick response in cases of violence and accidents,” the DIG explained.
The police response unit also called PRU, Haider said, has been provided three buses, one mobile canteen, and one mobile workshop to facilitate the staff.
Initially the PRU squad is working in one shift of 12-hour which will be later divided into three shifts to ensure round-the-clock patrolling.
On this occasion, IGP Mushtaq Sukhera lauded the efforts of Lahore police and hoped that the provincial capital will turn into a crime-free city very soon.