In one stroke, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday approved the grant of charge and next higher ranks to 865 police personnel of various ranks.
They include 40 Superintendents of Police (SPs), 125 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 200 Inspectors, 250 Sub-Inspectors (SIs), and 250 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs).
Sukhbir would personally preside over the formal ‘Pipping Ceremony’ to be organised for these police officers and officials at PAP Headquarters Jalandhar shortly.
“It was felt that speedier ranks to police officers would go a long way in motivating and encouraging the police officers who have delivered under all kinds of emergencies and difficult circumstances, such as the relief and rehabilitation measures during the recent Uttarakhand tragedy or the elections in the State or major protests movements over various socio-religious and economic issues,” said the official spokesperson.
Keeping in mind the officer-oriented nature of most of these initiatives, and the need to ensure a higher quality of service to citizens of the State through a motivated and dedicated police force, these promotions have been granted, he added.
The State Government has also planned to roll-out several new initiatives including Rural Rapid Police Response System (RRPRS) under which police assistance would be made available in the villages and remotest rural areas within less than 20 minutes.
Safe City Project in ludhiana and Amritsar, Senior Citizen Helpline, NRI Helpline are some other measures, which are likely to be implemented state-wide soon.
For the successful implementation of new schemes, Punjab Police went through a recruitment drive and about 17,000 additional constables were put on the ground on a 24X7 basis during the last few years.