The crime control department (CCD) has become a resounding reality. IGP Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has gracefully accomplished the task envisioned by CM Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to combat fierce surging of organized crime in Punjab. The significance of CCD lies in effective dealing with high impact crimes.

The increasing blood feuds, socio-economic factors and the laxity of criminal Justice System are the fundamental causes of increasing crime ratio in Punjab

The increasing blood feuds, socio-economic factors and the laxity of criminal Justice System are the fundamental causes of increasing crime ratio in Punjab. Moreover, CCD would have centralized data base of all criminals to track them down across the province without any let and hindrance.  Punjab Government has issued notification of its establishment on April 4, 2025, for provision of legal and administrative cover to the professional undertakings of Crime Control Department.

As many as 4000 officers/officials have been deputed in Crime Control Department (CCD) across the Punjab province

According to notification, as many as 4000 officers/officials have been deputed in Crime Control Department (CCD) across the Punjab province. Every region has SSP as Regional officer (RO). SSP will head the Capital City and three SPs will work under him. SP will head the city districts and three DSPs will work under his command and Districts will be headed by DSPs. Every district would have one police station. Furthermore, CCD has the mandate to register FIR, arrest, investigate and prosecute suspects.

The establishment of CCD has raised hopes in dealing with the rising surge of organized crime and cold blooded murders in Punjab

Punjab police has various wings to deal with law and order situation, terrorism, traffic management, surveillance and collection of intelligence. The establishment of CCD has raised hopes in dealing with the rising surge of organized crime and cold blooded murders in Punjab.

Of late, Faisalabad has come into spotlight due to the horrible triple murder incident that happened in the lock up of PS Sadder Tandlianwala. However, to stem the tide of rising blood feuds massive preventive measures, apprehension of proclaimed offenders and enlisting the outlaws as high value targets have been taken by the police to prevent  murder sprees.

The command should adopt best international practices to deal with the organized crime

One should know that CCD would not have a magic wand to obliterate crime from the swathe of society. Therefore, the command should adopt best international practices to deal with the organized crime.

For the purpose of yielding fruitful results, CCD should have three wings i.e. Intelligence, operation and investigation. The training of Dy Superintendent Detectives (DSD), Detectives, Sub-Detectives, foot detectives and CCD officers in the domain of Intelligence should be done through Master trainers.

In the year 2024, the available data exhibits that 1008 police encounters occurred, resulting in deaths of 502 criminals, 710 fire injuries and 635 arrests of suspects. As many as 38 Police officers were martyred and 137 injured. 

The prevalent high crime rate in Punjab is definitely a serious concern for Punjab Government. Available data exhibits that 1008 police encounters occurred, resulting in deaths of 502 criminals, 710 fire injuries and 635 arrests of suspects. As many as 38 Police officers were martyred and 137 injured in the performance of official duty. Notwithstanding, the encounters happened in 2024 was considerably increased as 842 encounters happened in 2023 and 401 in 2022. The facts display that criminals have become more hardened and desperate. Undoubtedly, the rise in crime impacts economic activities, social cohesion and safety of citizens.

Crime Control Department is in a nascent stage.  However, the importance of existing system of Police stations is not going to recede into non-significance. At present, Punjab Police has transformed into a digitalized force, using as many as 40 Police Apps for prevention of crime and different public service initiatives.

Crime Control Department will benefit from the ongoing IT based initiatives and Smart Safe City facilities across the province.

There is a huge trust gap among police and public. In order to fulfill the expectations of combating crime effectively, CCD is being dubbed as a formidable special unit to tackle violent and organized crime. In the first place, there is a dire need to chalk out the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of intelligence, operation and investigation works. Hefty amount has already allocated for developing the training modules, logistics, infrastructure and provision of technical gadgets.

Elite force, Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP), Dolphin force and other rapid response forces at Punjab Level were operationalized to fight against the crime but these efforts proved infructuous 

The misgivings are there, as this is not the first initiative of this sort to obliterate crime from society. Before that, Elite force, Punjab Highway Patrol (PHP), Dolphin force and other rapid response forces at Punjab Level were operationalized to fight against the crime but these efforts proved infructuous as the crime burgeoned instead of going to a downward trajectory. Now, the political will seems to be robust as the best lot of police personnel have been transferred to CCD.

The integration of data about crime and criminals should be done to take the ready information about the repeat offenders across the province

In order to increase the professional competency of CCD, the integration of data about crime and criminals should be done to take ready information about the repeat offenders across the province. Also, the CCD teams should have legal cover for operational work. Special units should be framed for the purpose of monitoring/ tracking the offenders released from jail. Moreover, the Government should provide GPS vehicle locator for monitoring purpose.

The task of combating organized crime is hugely challenging and demands state of the art intelligence led and resource intensive policing in order to curb  crime in society.

CCD has to stay ahead of the curve to prove its mark of combating the crime with unwavering commitment and professional puissance

CCD has to stay ahead of the curve to prove its mark of combating the crime with unwavering commitment and professional puissance. The establishment of Crime Control Department is going to be a silver bullet for reducing the crime surge in Punjab. It is high time for Police hierarchy to prove its mettle as they have the confidence of all stakeholders for the purpose of establishing peace and security in society.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.