Lack of investment in human capital
Incidents of crime, in particular street crime, have increased this year as compared to 2015 in Lahore. Official data shows that incidents of extortion, car snatching and kidnapping have increased in the 11 months of 2016. There were 507 murders in the full year of 2015 while in 2016 there are already 502 incidents – hardly an improvement.
The Punjab government has spent an exorbitant amount of money on the Turkish inspired ‘Dolphin force’ that has over 700 officers on patrol with 500 cc imported Honda bikes costing 1 million rupees each at their disposal. The complimentary ‘Police Response Unit’ has brand new Toyota Corollas with each car costing close to rupees 2 million. Heavy investment has also been made in the monitoring systems at the DIG and SP offices.
Most of this investment is the result of the Punjab Police constantly cribbing about the non-availability of up to date technology to help them do their jobs better. With that demand fulfilled, one would think the situation would at least not worsen if not improve. This directly proportional relation between more money spent on police technology and the increase in crime is indicative of a much larger, older and deep rooted problem – the lack of investment in human capital within the police force.
No amount of money thrown at shiny bikes and expensive command centres is going to bring improvement in crime figures unless the people using them are well trained, educated professionals committed to the job. In addition to the training aspect, a cultural reform in the police is necessary which can only come about when merit-based non-political appointments are made.
A continuous and fair review process also has to be in place so that non-performing elements are swiftly replaced. Investment in technology in the absence of human capital development will never bring about the results the Punjab government aspires to rather it will waste more money on eye catching gadgetry at the taxpayers’ expense.
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