National Highways & Motorway Police

A patrol car of Pakistan's National Highways & Motorway Police on the M2 Motorway.

National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) is a police force in Pakistan that is responsible for enforcement of traffic and safety laws, security and recovery on Pakistan's National Highways and Motorway network. The NH&MP use SUVs, cars and heavy motorbikes for patrolling purposes and uses speed cameras for enforcing speed limits.

History


The Pakistan Motorways Police (PMP) was raised by the Government of Pakistan in 1997 for policing Pakistan's newly constructed motorway network, starting with the M2. Later, in June 2001, it was also assigned the additional task of patrolling Pakistan's National Highways starting with Pakistan's longest national highway, the N-5. With the assignment of the additional role of patrolling the National Highways, the name of the Pakistan Motorways Police was changed to "National Highways & Motorway Police." In February 2007, NH&MP started policing the Makran Coastal Highway (N-10). First Inspector General of Police was Mr. Afzal Ali Shigri who tasked to prepare the plan for the new force. He was ably assisted by Mr. Shamim Ahmed a junior officer from National transport Research Cell. He conceived, developed and prepared a comprehensive proposal to establish an efficient and modern highway police for the new motorway. With the change of the government the plan was shelved. This plan with slight modifications was established later by Mr. Iftikhar Rashid (Inspector General of Police)who not only implemented the plan but also ensured it achieved the bench marks laid down in the original plan.

Organization

The NH&MP is headquartered in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and is headed by an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) who is assisted by seven Deputy Inspector-Generals (DIGs), each in charge of a separate branch.

The rank structure is as follows:

For policing purposes, the national highways and motorway network is divided into the following five zones, each headed by a DIG:

Each Zone is divided into 3 to 4 "Sectors" each headed by SSPs and SPs. Each Sector is divided into 4 to 5 "Beats" each headed by DSPs and ASPs. 2 or 3 Sectors makes a zone headed by a DIG.

Patrolling and rescue vehicles

The NH&MP patrolling and rescue vehicles include Toyota Land Cruiser and Prado SUVs, Toyota Corolla cars, Toyota Hilux pickup trucks, Toyota Hiace vans, Mazda trucks and Suzuki 500 and 750 cc high-performance heavy bikes.

Salient features

  1. Manageable span of control - SP manages 250 officers and an ASP/DSP (Chief Patrol Officer) about 60 officers.
  2. For optimum efficiency, force functions in three shifts.
  3. Force comprises Educated Officers.
  4. Emphasis is given on smart turnout and professionalism.
  5. Effective accountability and senior command accountable for misdeeds of subordinates.
  6. No documents seized during any violation of traffic rules by the commuters.
  7. No interference from any quarter.
  8. Complete delegation of authority and responsibility.
  9. Only moving violations checked. Force responsible for traffic discipline, safety of commuters and initial action in crimes.
  10. Better pay, conducive working conditions, dependable mobility, intensive professional training and induction of foreign trainers are critical factors for the success of NH&MP department.
  11. Officer cadre for enforcement.
  12. Close supervision and effective command.
  13. Distinct uniform and smart turn out.
  14. 50% of fine collected on the Motorways/Highways utilized for road safety, rewards and welfare of the force.
  15. SOPs for all operational activities.
  16. Adoption of Ticketing System.
  17. Welfare Projects including Scholarships, financial assistance for daughter’s marriage, burial assistance, welfare petrol pumps and special quota in jobs for Shaheed’s Children.

Recruitment and training

Before start of policing on M – 2 (Islamabad – Lahore Motorway) in 1997 all the officers were selected from within the existing police set ups of the country and an extensive training program was prepared for them in order to bring them up to international standards of Motorway/Expressway policing. Both local and foreign instructors imparted the training. Local training was given at Police College Sihala. To meet the international standards, experts from UK and Nordic Countries were invited who, along with local experts, trained our officers in advance driving skills and management of various types of incidents. A foreign training course with South Wales Police, U.K. and German Police in Kiel was also conducted to ameliorate personnel of this flourishing force up to the global standard of policing. In addition, services of armed forces were also utilized for advance driving skills particularly for motorcycles.

In order to impart customized training related to Highways/Motorway NH&MP has set up its own Training College at Sheikhupura with the following mandate:

i) To train the newly selected Officers on basic police course.

ii) To organize NH&MP orientation training of already trained Officers.

iii) To organize Driving Training for fresh recruited Officers.

iv) To organize advance courses for Drivers to make them Driving Instructors.

v) To organize Wireless training courses for Wireless Operators.

vi) To organize short courses on SOPs & functioning of NH&MP.

vii) To organize technical courses on use of Misc. Equipment (Provida, Wireless Sets etc.).

viii) To organize courses on Physical Fitness.

ix) To organize Fire Shooting Course.

x) To organize First Aid Training Course.

xi) To conduct promotional exams for different cadres.

xii) To conduct refresher courses for senior officers.

xiii) To act as a platform for provision of training by foreign experts.

Training Institute is working at its full swing and since January 2006, has trained over 129 trainers in different categories. Training Institute has the honor to train over 400 officers of Islamabad Model Traffic Police and recently trained 40 Senior Officers of Punjab Traffic Police as Trainers to train over 6000 newly recruited Traffic Wardens of Punjab Police. Besides this training Institute has successfully completed Lower Intermediate and Upper Class Promotion Courses in addition to a number of Capacity Building short courses like orientation for Deputationists, Refresher Courses for the CPOs/Admin Officers, Moharrars, Weapon handling, Record Keeping etc. Another landmark for the Training Institute is to complete on its own 1st Commando Course for about 27 Officers with 10 Officers doing Para Gliding Courses including 4 lady Officers.

It is worth mentioning that all the above development have been made with the limited available resources under the previous guidance and encouragement of the Worthy Inspector General, NH&MP who has been taking personal interest to make the Training Institute a hub of learning and road model for all other Police Training Institute in the country.

Training strategy

After study of the current policing system and the culture... a comprehensive training strategy is devised to build a force which is honest, professional, dedicated and service – oriented. Main elements of the training strategy in NH&MP are:

• TNA to assess training needs • SWOT Analysis Training Techniques • Quality Instructors • Modern Techniques of Instruction 1.Syndicate/Participative System 2.Simulation Exercises 3.Case Studies 4.Driving Skills • Respectful Training Environment • Foreign Training

Selection criteria and requirements

SPO (Senior Patrolling Officer) 16 Graduation at least 2nd Division (Preferably Law) and LTV Driving Licence 20 Years to 27 Years 5' 8" for Male 5'4" for Female 3.5 to 35 with Expansion for Male only.

PO (Patrolling Officer) 14 Graduation at least 2nd Division and LTV Driving Licence 18 Years to 25 Years 5' 8" for Male 5'4" for Female 33.5 to 35 with Expansion for Male only.

APO (Assistant Patrolling Officer) 07 Intermediate, LTV Driving Licence, 03 Years driving experience 18 Years to 25 Years 5' 8" for Male 5'4" for Female 33.5 to 35 with Expansion for Male only.

JPO (Junior Patrolling Officer) 05 Matric, LTV Driving Licence, 03 Years driving experience 18 Years - 25 Years 5' 8" for Male 5'4" for Female 33.5 to 35 with Expansion for Male only.

Selection method

In all the above categories of selection the candidate has to go through a thorough selection process. Candidate has to:

• Submit complete application in all respects.

• Qualify the physical test including running, height and chest measurements etc.

• Pass the written test.

• Pass the Interview.

The selected candidates are examined for medical fitness. Physically and mentally fit candidates are then ready for National Highways & Motorway Police Training.

Equipment

Scientific and latest equipment are procured by spending huge government exchequer and utilized to curb the tendency of violation on National Highways & Motorway. The list of some useful equipment is as under:-

i) Provida 2000/Vascar: This radar is fitted with video and it not only detects speed but also has a printer, which gives the picture of the vehicle along with detail of prescribed speed and actual speed of the vehicle. This has helped NH&MP in preventing corruption and argument amongst commuter and police officer.

ii) Hand Held Radar/Laser Gun: This is a gun like radar and is used to detect speed but cannot record it.

iii) Emergency/Accident: This includes emergency Equipment/Boards like “ Accident Ahead “, Traffic Diversion Cones and Cone Lights etc., which are used to secure the areas of accident/incident both during day and night.

iv) Search Light: For surveillance at night, every vehicle is provided with a search light with a power of 400,000 C.P., which helps in detecting any criminal activity and in case of accident/incident etc. at night.

v) Video/Still Camera: Each sector is provided with one each of Video Camera and Still Camera in order to make video film and photographs of the area of the accident/incident.

vi) First Aid Boxes: NH&MP is the first to reach at the site of accident/incident. They have been given special training to provide first aid to the injured on the spot.

vii) Communications System: NH&MP is using latest equipment for Wireless Communication through repeater based/direct UHF, VHF’s.

viii) Weber Hydraulic Cutters: NH&MP have also recently procured 47 Weber Hydraulic Cutters as Rescue equipment. This equipment helps in effective Accident Management and Recovery of injured persons.

ix) Night Vision Speed Checking Devices: NH&MP are also planning to procure night vision speed checking devices to improve the quality of work of this elite force.

See also

External links

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