Karachi: The Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), Altaf Shakoor, criticized the current state of police training in Karachi, stating that the conventional methods employed are insufficient to address the escalating urban crime in the city. Shakoor called for an overhaul of the police training programs, emphasizing the need for modern techniques and equipment to transform the police force into an effective entity capable of combating contemporary urban challenges.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor expressed concerns that the training schools in Karachi, much like other national police academies, rely on outdated methodologies. He highlighted the lack of instruction in modern data analysis, the use of surveillance cameras, and artificial intelligence tools, which he believes are essential for effective urban policing. Shakoor argued that without these modern tools, the police training programs continue to produce mediocre outcomes, and the force remains ineffective and unprepared.
Shakoor also pointed out that the police force’s inefficiency is compounded by pervasive corruption within its ranks, from the highest to the lowest levels. He proposed radical reforms including recruitment through the Public Service Commission to ensure that only well-educated individuals join the police. Furthermore, he suggested that current officers be rigorously retrained, with those found unfit for modern policing needs to be removed or retired early.
In addition to training reforms, Shakoor recommended banning cultural and religious processions that block roads, as part of broader efforts to instill a sense of responsibility and lawfulness among citizens. He urged the government to establish a dedicated department of urban policing to specifically address the complexities of maintaining law and order in Karachi.
Shakoor’s proposal includes sending select officers to China for training with one of the world’s most efficient police forces to turn them into master trainers in modern urban policing methods. He emphasized that replicating top-notch policing techniques and equipment from around the globe could significantly improve the situation in Karachi, a megacity beleaguered by crime and outdated policing methods.