Internal rows overshadow police role against Covid
CCPO Umar Sheikh remains at centre of series of controversies during 2020
CCPO LAHORE
LAHORE:
The attention and energies of Punjab Police were focused on helping curbing the Covid-19 pandemic during most of the past year. However, the department witnessed rows of an unprecedented nature among its most senior officers after DIG Umar Sheikh took charge as Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).
Since the appointment of the CCPO, an IGP, a DIG, an SSP and an SP have been transferred after conflicts with him. Besides, about 50 officers of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) signed a declaration in support of then IGP Shoaib Dastagir.
Cops enforcing lockdown remain exposed to Covid-19
Four officials died, over 500 tested positive for virus during the year
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Policing in the wake of the global pandemic Covid-19 was the first challenge of its kind for Lahore police in their history.
The police in the metropolis lost four officials, while as many as 508 contracted the disease. However, the department appears as ill-prepared to protect its personnel from the infection as it was nine months back.
As the government announced lockdowns to counter the onslaught of the pandemic, it put the police in central position to cope with the crisis after the medical community. World Health Organisation (WHO) had suggested social distancing as the most effective tool to stop the pandemic from spreading and countries across the world moved for shutting down most sectors to ensure that people stay home.