LAHORE - In order to improve the police image, maintain the official record, and to ensure timely registration of cases and merit-based investigations, at least 10 computerised Complaint Handling Centers (CHC) have been made operational in the provincial capital as a pilot project.
The state-of-the-art centers would also help the department eliminate corruption at police station level besides creating soft image of the largest law enforcing agency.
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera stated this while addressing the media representatives in an informal meeting held at the Central Police Office (CPO) on Tuesday.
The police chief discussed at length the working of the CHCs with the reporters to get their feedback regarding this pilot project.
Highlighting salient features of the pilot project, the IGP informed the media that initially this project had been started at 10 police stations of Lahore including Gulberg, Baghbanpura, North Cantonment, South Cantonment, Model Town, Mustafabad, Sarwar Road, and Defence-A, B, and C police stations.
The IGP also informed that the pilot project of CHCs would be extended across the province.
He further said that at least 83 civilian staff including 20 females had been selected through National Testing Service (NTS) to run the well-equipped facilitation centers.
These centers are working in two shifts from 9:00am to 5:00pm and from 4:00pm to 11:00pm respectively. The IGP further said the staff of these centers would be responsible to ensure quick response on public complaints.
Apart from ensuring timely registration of the cases, the complainants would be given computerised slips with details about the investigation officer of their cases for future references.
Moreover, all emergency calls received at the police helpline Rescue-15 would be connected with the system of CHC shortly. The administrative matters of these centers would be supervised by an officer of the rank of SP, the IGP explained.
On this occasion, media representatives shared their experiences about the working of the CHCs with the police chief. They were of the view that the CHC staff should work in three shifts to facilitate the complaints round-the-clock and must be empowered to work independently.
Similarly, there should be proper follow-up and strict monitoring of the CHCs. The reporters also suggested the IGP that the working of entire police station should be monitored through these centers on daily basis.
The IGP appreciated the media’s input in reforming the police and assured that he would try his best to improve the working of these centers in the light of their valuable suggestions so that the creation of a better environment to the complainant at these centers would be ensured.
Meanwhile, responding to a question regarding the investigations into the Youhanabad incident, the IGP said that those involved in lynching of two innocent people had been identified with the cooperation of Christian community and challan had been submitted to the courts.
“The investigation is in process to unearth those who masterminded the bomb blasts,” he told the journalists.