NCJ Number
46349
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 33 Dated: (1977) Pages: 53-61
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
LAW ENFORCEMENT IN PAKISTAN FACES A CRISIS AS POLICE AGENCIES TRY TO SHED THE REPRESSIVE ROLES THEY HAD UNDER BRITISH COLONIAL RULE AND THE DICTATORSHIP WHICH FOLLOWED; PUBLIC CONFIDENCE MUST BE RESTORED.
Abstract
THE POLICE SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BRITISH TO ENFORCE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COLONIAL GOVERNOR. THE ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF POLICE AGENCIES ARE STILL BASED ON ACT 5 OF 1861 WHICH SET UP THE GENERAL POLICE, THE ARMED POLICE, THE TRAFFIC POLICE. THE MOUNTED POLICE. THE BORDER POLICE, THE PROSECUTION POLICE, AND THE SPECIAL BRANCH. THE SPECIAL DIVISION HANDLES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS TO PATROL THE RAILWAYS AND THE FRONTIERS, INVESTIGATE GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, AND HANDLE A HOST OF OTHER DUTIES. ALL OF THESE DIVISIONS SUFFER FROM THE REPRESSIVE IMAGE THEY OBTAINED UNDER THE COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT DICTATORSHIPS AS WELL AS FROM THE CORRUPTION WHICH IS STILL COMMON. IN MANY AREAS, DISRESPECT OF THE LAW IS LOOKED UPON WITH FAVOR. IN CERTAIN AREAS, A RESPECTABLE PERSON WILL STEAL PROPERTY FROM A POOR MAN OR A RIVAL AND OFFER IT BACK ON UNFAIR TERMS. CERTAIN TRIBES TAKE THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. PATROL OFFICERS PRESENTLY HAVE LITTLE PRESTIGE AND ENCOUNTER MUCH HOSTILITY IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK. THE PUBLIC NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF POLICE WORK AND WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED. FORCES WHICH UNDERMINE THE POLICE NEED TO BE FOUGHT. POLICE OFFICERS THEMSELVES WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR AND CONFORM TO ETHICAL AND HIGH STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM BE USED AS A CODE OF BEHAVIOR BECAUSE THIS WOULD HAVE A UNIFYING EFFECT ON THE PEOPLE. DECENTRALIZATION OF POLICE AUTHORITY MAY HELP THE SITUATION. IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AND TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS COULD INCREASE RESPECT. (GLR)