LAHORE: A recent report compiled by the Punjab chief minister`s Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) has exposed irregularities, including corruption, misconduct, misbehaviour, abuse of power and a lack of response to public complaints etc, by the provincial police, questioning their tall claims of redressing grievances of people.

It reveals how inefficiency and corruption at the police station level were not only undermining the CM`s initiatives aimed to provide relief to the people, but also eroding the public trust in the government.

The eight-page SMU report submitted to the chief minister was prepared in light of the record of cases and feedback by the complainants approaching various police stations in different districts of Punjab.

TheSMU report also recommends appropriate action against the guilty officials for `shaking the public trust in the government` and `cheating` the CM`s initiativesmeant for public relief.

The report, being termed a charge sheet against the Punjab police, gathered data of the calls made by complainants to the officials of their respective police stations to get their issues resolved and the response by the police.

`In line with the CM`s vision to enhance governance and public service delivery, the objective of the SMU was to foster transparency, ensure accountability, and advance citizen-centric initiatives`, reads the report.

Under the CM`s initiative, the report stated, the SMU conducted an analysis of the 3,216 `connected calls` of the complainants of the FIRs and compiled the detailed report based on feedback received from the citizens of various districts.

As per the analysis, 1,550 of these callers reported multiple complaints to the SMU with regard to their experience.

The unit compiled a complete record of the callers, including names, addresses, mobile phone numbers, the districts, police stations, the FIRs they lodged and the issues each of them faced on contacting therespective police officials to seek their help.

`The primaryissueshighlightedincluded delays in service delivery, lack of responsiveness from concerned authorities/police officials, bribery and inadequate resolution of complaints,` reads the report.

`Such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement and raise concerns about the ethical standards maintained within the police force`, reads the report.

The SMU said many allegations have also surfaced regarding officers demanding bribes for just carrying out their duties. It accuses a superintendent of police (SP) of `accepting money from a party`.

The report says the SMU has been continuously tracking the progress on the implementation of the initiatives taken by the CM.

In some cases, it said, law enforcement officials have been accused of deliberately manipulating investigations for personal financial gain, thereby obstructing the course of justice and allowing unlawful activities.

It says that in numerous instances, police officers exhibited negligence, failing in giv-ing a timely response to complaints. This included unjustified delays in addressing grievances, refusal to conduct necessary raids, and an overall lack of action in critical cases, which led to further distress and insecurity among the affected individuals.

The SMU also accused police officers of siding with influential individuals, rather than upholding justice impartially.

In many cases, it mentions, complaints have reportedly been ignored, and victims have been pressured into settling disputes insteadofreceivingthelegalprotectionand recourse to which they are entitled.

`In some cases where the stolen amount has been recovered, it has been alleged that the police retained a portion of the recovered money and returned only a partial amount to the complainant,` the SMU report says.

It points out that the tracking of stolen mobile phones was reportedly initiated by police only upon `payment of a fee` by the complainant. It also mentions that the police response in mobile phone theft casesremains notably low.

It also points out individual cases from various districts. It says the officials posted at Sadar JPJ police station of Gujrat district demanded Rs100,000 from a complainant to resolve his issue, while a Kunjah police station official in the same district also demanded bribes from a citizen.

Similarly, it says that Dolat Nagar and Civil Lines police stations officials in Gujrat refused to accommodate complainants. It levels similar allegations against the SHOs of the Dinga and Gulyana police stations.

In Sialkot district, the SMU says, an officialpostedatUgokipolicestation demanded Rs10,000 from a man for providing tracking-related assistance.

In Nankana Sahib district, an official at the Warburton police station allegedly pressured the complainant for reconciliation with the rival party.

The SMU also highlighted the case of a police official posted at the Airport police station of Rawalpindi, stating he demanded Rs400,000 from a citizen to lodge his FIR.remains notably low.

It also points out individual cases from various districts. It says the officials posted at Sadar JPJ police station of Gujrat district demanded Rs100,000 from a complainant to resolve his issue, while a Kunjah police station official in the same district also demanded bribes from a citizen.

Similarly, it says that Dolat Nagar and Civil Lines police stations officials in Gujrat refused to accommodate complainants. It levels similar allegations against the SHOs of the Dinga and Gulyana police stations.

In Sialkot district, the SMU says, an officialpostedatUgokipolicestation demanded Rs10,000 from a man for providing tracking-related assistance.

In Nankana Sahib district, an official at the Warburton police station allegedly pressured the complainant for reconciliation with the rival party.

The SMU also highlighted the case of a police official posted at the Airport police station of Rawalpindi, stating he demanded Rs400,000 from a citizen to lodge his FIR.