Citizen protection is first priority of Punjab government and for this matter, a highly equipped and modern force called Dolphin Force has been established. Watch video for details.
Punjab government’s quick-response Dolphin Force (DF) is under training to catch street criminals. Equipped with modern equipment, the force is being trained by Turkish Police experts.
(Report Courtesy: SAMAA TV)
While the name may not strike fear into the hearts of hardened criminals, the newly established Dolphin Force – an elite security unit – is out patrolling the streets of Lahore.
The inspiration (and peculiar name) for the security force comes from a law enforcement unit in Turkey which greatly impressed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, leading to its emulation at home. But while Sharif pushes to expand this pet project, top police officials eye the new unit with some disdain, as they believe it will meet an embarrassing end like its predecessors.
Exorbitant cost is the primary reason Dolphin Force looks likely to fail.
The unit has so far received 35 Honda CB motorbikes out of an estimated final strength of 300. With an engine capacity of around 500cc, the bikes have been purchased at a staggering cost of Rs1.5 million each.
Examine: CM fancies Istanbul police patrol model
The list of expenses the still nascent force has incurred does not stop here. Plans are also afoot to equip members of the unit with uniforms that cost Rs50,000 each, replete with attached cameras and a chip to monitor the officer's movement. Maintenance and repair costs will also be higher than those of previously established patrolling units.
Requesting anonymity, police officials, when contacted, say it is just a matter of time before the force and its expensive equipment runs out of funds to function in the manner envisaged by the chief minister. They add that the unit will eventually end up being deployed to protect VIPs, not to fight crime.
Take a look: PC-I of Dolphin patrol force submitted to P&D
DSP Dolphin Force Mir Kashif Khalil argues that such high-powered bikes are necessary for the unit to pursue and apprehend criminals involved in street crime. However, similar 'elite' units such as Muhafiz Force and Quick Response Force became redundant soon after they were established, due to a lack of funds to ensure maintenance of the 125cc motorbikes provided.
Most police officials that were a part of these units were reduced to using their personal vehicles to perform daily duties. To make matters worse, they were given a meager daily allowance of 1.5 liters of fuel.
Both units are now relegated to the protection of VIPs.
The 125cc motorbikes used by Punjab police. — DawnNews screengrab
Several requests were sent to higher offices of the provincial government to increase the number of vehicles deployed at police stations, officials claim, but no response was ever solicited.
They add that most of the police stations in Lahore have just two vehicles, which is not enough to maintain law and order in the city. Funds splurged on the new elite unit could have been used to revamp the existing squads, officials argue.
For now, there is little optimism regarding Dolphin Force's success within local police circles.
LAHORE: Residents of Lahore may see a relief in street crimes as Punjab police plan to deploy a special force in the city.
The Dolphin Force, comprising 700 policemen, is being equipped with skills to hunt criminals in the dingy streets of the metropolis in a course that will also enable them to respond with rapidity in the face of any criminal act.
The force not only has perfected the art of chasing criminals in narrow streets on their heavy bikes, it will also be able to go after them in congested traffic in the city.
The policemen from the Dolphin Force will be provided with 300 heavy bikes for patrolling in the city as well as special training to protect evidence.
The Citizen Police Liaison Committee of Lahore, commonly known as C.P.L.C, Lahore, was established by the Government of the Punjab under section168 of the Police Order of 2002 (XXII of 2002) on 28th of August 2004 as a voluntary, self financing, and autonomous body for the purpose of....
* Training and capacity building of Public Safety Commission
* Developing mechanism for liaison between aggrieved citizens and police for providing relief
* Assistance to Public Safety Commissions, Police Complaints Authority and the police for the expeditious and judicious discharge of their duties
CPLC Lahore has been successful in restoring the confidence of citizens in Police and other law enforcing agencies
CPLC Objectives are
• Training and capacity building of Public safety
Commission
• Developing mechanism for liaison between
Aggrieved citizens and Police for providing
relief
• Assistance to Public Safety Commission
Police Complaints Authority and the Police for
The expeditious and judicious discharge of their
duties
• To make Police more powerfull and helpfull in
