LAHORE: A total of 238 Lahore police personnel, including seven Station House Officers (SHOs) and 25 executive officers, have faced disciplinary actions over serious complaints in the past six months as part of an internal drive aimed at rebuilding public trust in the police force.
The punishments, issued under a “reward and punishment” scheme, include the dismissal of eight officers over corruption and misuse of authority, the suspension of seven SHOs, and the forfeiture of service for 70 other personnel. These actions stemmed from investigations into 283 complaints, assessing officers’ performance and misconduct.
The accountability drive focused primarily on officers managing the city’s 85 police stations and handling public interactions. Many were found guilty of misconduct, poor performance, and other violations.
According to sources, the crackdown has significantly reduced crime by 44-60% in the last six months. The move is part of broader efforts to cleanse the force, address inefficiencies, and tackle corruption within the police department. Additionally, calls to the emergency 15 helpline have decreased, signaling an improvement in law and order.
The disciplinary actions also extended to 22 ministerial staffers, three inspectors, one sub-inspector, several head constables, constables, and stenographers, many of whom were suspended or penalized. Four officers had their salaries cut, two lost increments, three were denied promotions, and one officer was demoted.
Furthermore, 150 officers were censured, and 51 others received warnings. Thirty officers faced formal departmental investigations.
Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran emphasized that all inquiries were conducted fairly and transparently, with strict merit-based processes in place. He highlighted multiple platforms for citizens to report misconduct, including helplines, the police website, open courts, and direct visits to police stations or the DIG operations’ office. An anonymous tip-off system is also in place to protect whistleblowers.
Kamran noted that regular inspections and monitoring of police personnel ensure adherence to departmental standards. He stressed that the internal accountability drive had led to significant improvements in policing, creating a more disciplined and trustworthy police force.
“Authority is a trust, and officers must use it responsibly,” Kamran said, warning that those who misuse their power will face swift consequences. Exceptional performance is rewarded, but subpar conduct is not tolerated, which serves to motivate officers to uphold high professional standards.
