DIG Investigation Sultan Ahmad Ch visits Emergency Services Academy

Lahore : The Deputy Inspector General of Lahore Police (Investigation) Sultan Ahmad Chaudhary visited the Emergency Services Academy and held a detailed meeting with the Director General Brig. (R) Amir Hamza and discussed all matters related to training, collaboration, investigation and other disaster related issues based on mutual trust.

The Registrar Academy Dr. Muhammad Farhan Khalid and other senior officers were also present on this occasion. During opening remarks, the Director General paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of Police Department during ongoing war on terror and pledged to work shoulder-to-shoulder with police department in future.

DIG Lahore Sultan Ahmad Chaudhary stated that the role of police as first responder during disaster management is imperative as the first and foremost task of police is to reach at the disaster-site to provide security and maintain law and order in order to further prevent commission of cognizable offences against life, property and public tranquility.

The DIG further emphasized on the role of police by saying the force have also to perform several tasks of the State to protect lives while terming its uniform as a symbol of State Authority. Accordingly, the uniform of Rescue 1122 creates a sense of safety among general public. He, however, said that section 5 of Police Order 2002 empowers police department to perform “emergency duties of police with regard to essential services”, section 115 defines “police officer at any time liable to be called for duty”; section 122 defines “power to prohibit certain acts for prevention of disorder”.

Mr. Sultan Chaudhary further stated that police have to perform multiple functions during disaster including Search & Rescue, deployment of resources, cordon & crowed management, prevention of commission of cognizable offence, security during relief distribution/ relief management, isolate & control disaster site for safety of victims, general public and camp management. He admired the passion of Rescue 1122 shown during flood management in 2010. “Owing to such passion, Punjab Police handed over department’s boats to Rescue 1122 during that operation,” he added.

He further said that disaster either caused by the nature or by human error can be tackled with better planning, management & strategy, adding spontaneous action is essential to reduce the damage caused by the disaster. He said that Rescue 1122 has got established its credibility in the eyes of public due to its unmatched public service. Answering to a question, he said that the rescuers should ensure installing “Caution Tape” at crime scene & rest assure police shall extend its cooperation with them.