Sindh police chief orders suspending poorly performing investigation officers

Concerned over investigation officers’ poor performance, Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon has ordered the investigation DIG to suspend the negligent officers and send them to B Company of the police headquarters, Garden.

According to the order issued by the Central Police Office (CPO), IG Memon has taken notice of IOs not taking an interest in preparing case files, and updating records in the Police Station Record Management System (PSRMS).

The letter issued to the Karachi police chief, the investigation Addl IG and all the DIGs states that the PSRMS is a mandatory project for supervisory officers and prosecutors to monitor investigations, and that such a failure is alarming, and negates the project’s purpose.

Therefore, being the PSRMS focal person, the crime & investigation DIG is authorised to place cops from police constables to inspectors, who are non-compliant with the above directions, under suspension and close them to B Company at the police HQ.

The DIG is also authorised to initiate departmental proceedings against them. However, misconduct reports in respect of the relevant DSPs and SSPs of investigation units, if found negligent, may be sent to the CPO for further necessary action.

Earlier, Memon had said the provision of maximum resources to the investigation branch is the need of the hour.

“The investigation department is the identity of the police department, and the only option we have is to be a good investigator.”

He said that all the authority that the law gives police is that of investigation, and the officers’ enthusiasm for improving the investigation department is palpable.

“If the IO prepares himself, works hard, makes a case, then he gets self-confidence in him. We’re making the investigation department financially independent, and it’s very important to strengthen the capabilities of the investigation branch.”

He also said the Crime Scene Unit is doing a great job. The use of latest technology in collecting evidence from the scene has improved significantly, and the PSRMS should be upgraded further, he added.

He also ordered the crime & investigation DIG that the PSRMS be linked to the Case Flow Management System. He said the move is aimed at preserving complete case records. It is the prerogative of the IO to make an investigation bill of up to Rs200,000, he added.

He also said police stations have been made financially independent, with the allocation of a budget. “SHOs should use the allocated budget. We want to work for your growth and career planning.”

The IG said that this time trainees have been authorised to choose their own training centres. This time no unfit officer or jawan will be able to go to any departmental promotion course, he added.

“I wish that a fit officer or a young man be promoted in every respect. We have a special focus on the investigation department. You detect crime; future crime will automatically stop.”

He said that the biggest and most important role in crime detection is the investigation department. The identification parade of criminals is an important part of the investigation department, he added.

“Our biggest strength is investigation. Officers associated with investigation should participate in departmental courses so that they can become the best and experts in their field.”