Government to install CCTV cameras across all police stations

• Interior Minister has directed the concerned authorities to install close circuit cameras across all the police stations within the country.
• Recent order has been issued to curb the incidents of police torture and abuse inside the police stations.
• The helmet cameras that are worn by police officials during investigations, arrests, and mob control also help to prevent misuse of force.

After many incidents of pre-trial detention and worst ever police torture came to the limelight the Interior Minister Aijjaz Shah directed the concerned authorities to install close circuit cameras across all the police stations within the country. The news necessitating the installation of CCTV cameras first appeared on ARY NEWS TV.

A similar order already surfaced in which the Inspector General of Punjab Police Arif Nawaz Khan, reportedly, ordered the installation of CCTV cameras inside the lockups of all 722 police stations in Punjab to reduce the incidents of torture. But the problem with Pakistan has largely been the implementation of policies, not exactly their induction.

The recent order by the interior ministry has been issued to curb the incidents of police torture and abuse inside the police stations and to ensure transparency during the investigation of cases.

The control rooms will also be set up by utilizing the digital system to monitor these cameras. The ill-treatment of the accused confronts several countries and different countries have adopted various policy options to reduce the police torture of people during custody.

What exactly can help reduce police torture besides CCTV cameras?

According to a research paper prepared by Julia Kozma and Asbjørn Rachlew in cooperation with the Danish Institute against Torture, a change within the police culture starts with competitive recruitment processes based on strict selection criteria of officers, adequate remuneration of police officials, review of performance indicators, and police training in accordance with human right standards can help so far to reduce the maltreatment of the people at the hands of police.

Also See: Custodial Deaths: How ‘Thana Culture’ Undermines The Credibility Of Police?

The helmet cameras that are worn by police officials during investigations, arrests, and mob control also help to prevent misuse of force. To equip the police with modern forensic tools and technical procedures used for detection of the crime scene can help in controlling incidents of torture.

Safe City Project

Reportedly, the interior minister also took other important decisions that include the initiation of the “Safe City Project” in Balochistan with the assistance of the provincial government. The decision of making the Chaman border operational was also taken by the ministry.

How do you see the steps undertaken so far to reduce the prevalent police culture of torture and misuse of power in Pakistan? Share your views in the comment section below