Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday issued directions to the Punjab Police to ensure “grooming” of their personnel as part of police reforms, warning them against violating the “dignity of common people”.

In a high-level televised meeting, the chief minister directed Punjab Inspector General (IG) Abdul Kareem to “groom” the police staff, citing complaints of “intimidating behaviour” exhibited by Punjab Police.

“Teach them how to talk to people, and groom them mentally as well,” CM Maryam stressed, warning that the police officials would “not be permitted to interact with people if they refuse to address them as sir or sahib”.

“Police staff that patrol or interact with the public should directly teach them the appropriate body language,” she directed.

The chief minister noted that police in Punjab often addressed people in public spaces with “oye”, rather than speaking to them respectfully.

“Do not violate the dignity of the public,” CM Maryam stressed.

She further underscored the “need for accountability and unlearning harmful attitudes”.

“Do not deny your wrongdoing,” she said, but “take accountability and work towards rectifying the error”.

“We are here to serve people, not threaten and intimidate them,” she remarked, adding that the monthly evaluations would be conducted for each police officer.

“Whoever is coming to us should be treated in a dignified manner,” she emphasised, issuing strict directions to register complaints immediately when they are reported and to wear body cameras while on duty.

On February 12, in a meeting at the Central Police Officer, newly-appointed IG Kareem reviewed the implementation of reform measures in Punjab Police under the ‘Fast, Fearless, Transparent Justice’ initiative.

During the meeting, it was decided that all Punjab Police and traffic personnel will be provided with body cameras in phases within the next two months.

The Punjab IG said that “panic buttons” were being installed outside police stations so that citizens could immediately lodge complaints in case of any misconduct or lack of hearing.

He also directed that at all police stations, offices, checkpoints and Khidmat Marakaz, citizens should be addressed respectfully as “sir or madam” and “sahib or sahiba”.

He said that counselling and training of officers and personnel would be arranged to improve the overall perception of Punjab Police’s conduct.