ISLAMABAD - After ensuring capacity building through modern training besides use of information technology and incorporation of new tools in day-to-day policing, Islamabad police has now come up with the idea of dispute resolution council (DRC) to resolve petty issues amongst the citizens.
According to police officials, the council comprises of apolitical and reputed members of the society including professionals, retired civil officers, educationists, businessmen, journalists and lawyers etc. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jamil Ur Rehman stated this on the occasion of the launching ceremony of the Dispute Resolution Council at Rescue 15.
A graceful ceremony was arranged which was attended by DIG (Operations) Afzaal Ahmad Kausar, SSP (Operations) Islamabad Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanweer, senior police officers, members of DRC and media representatives.
After launching the DRC, the IGP Islamabad said that it was a brain child of SSP Islamabad Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanweer who first introduced this project in KP police which was successfully going on. He appreciated his efforts for establishing this council in Islamabad and hoped this will bring a revolution in Islamabad and will help in dividing the burden on police.
The IGP said in his speech that the need for establishing the dispute resolution council was felt in Islamabad when petty issues that were of non-cognizable nature were reported to the police and they had no other way to resolve them except referring them to civil courts. He reiterated that if such issues are not addressed timely, the aggrieved party takes law into hands which leads to heinous crimes.
Hence, to avoid such acts of aggression, Islamabad police have taken this step to take the community on board to amicably resolve disputes, the IGP added.
He further maintained that this council would not only resolve disputes but would provide guidance to the police in cases of dispute or contested investigations. After observing the case and listening to both parties, the council would guide the investigation staff with their opinion.
The IGP said that this council would also work as a fact finding council. When an application is referred to this council, it could mark it for a fact-finding report by the SHO, and he would give a brief report about that application. “The council would be empowered to initiate a preventive action even unilaterally through the SHO, against the aggressor party,” he said. Earlier, SSP (Operations) Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanweer briefed about the structure, working and functions of this council adding that the DRC consists of 21 members.
A jury room has been established at Rescue 15, he said. Mustafa said that overall working of the DRC will be organised and planned by the convener elected/selected from the members as per the procedure laid down hereafter. Each council will be divided into three panels consisting three members. “The lower subordinate of the concerned police station will be appointed as a supporting staff to maintain record of working and decisions of the council. This council will function in close liaison with Additional SP,” the SSP maintained.
In order to prevent misuse and monopolisation of the DRC by a selected few, the membership of the DRC is kept in a fluid state meaning that there are no permanent members and members can join and leave upon their will. A member if suspected of violating the code of conduct or misuse of his membership can be removed.
Highlighting working modalities for DRCs, the SSP emphasised that, a council member will not take the case on his own, however, he may recommend the applicant to police. The condition will help in preventing partiality or corruption by DRC members. The code of ethics also categorically defines eligibility criteria for members of the council stating that one should have apolitical background. He should be well-respected, well-reputed in his community. The DRC is meant to facilitate amicable resolutions of disputes among all segments of society and main focus is to provide free and expeditious justice to those vulnerable groups.
All willing members will work as a convener to the council on a three-month rotation basis voluntarily and a police coordinator appointed with each DRC as liaison officer will be responsible for summoning both the parties and ensuring attendance before the DRC.