Team Details:

Theme/Relevant Ministry:

PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT:
National Police Bureau, Lower Courts in Punjab

Project Brief:

This project investigates the pervasive systemic challenges contributing to low crime convictions and the capacity constraints faced by the police in Punjab. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study will analyze the factors influencing low conviction rates. It will combine quantitative data from crime records for murder and robbery crimes with qualitative insights gathered through interviews and focus group discussions. Ten cases of murder and robbery crime (each) will be followed overtime for analyses of the path followed for resolving these cases. The qualitative research will focus on police officers of varying ranks, allowing a nuanced understanding of challenges faced at different levels. Along with these in-depth perspectives of judges, lawyers, key informants such as eye witnesses, complainant, accused, prosecutors, DPO, and SHO will be included for a comprehensive narrative. These findings will be channelized into actionable recommendation framework which will be pilot tested at selected police station. A pre-post testing quasi-experimental design will be employed for this purpose. The study aspires to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing law enforcement effectiveness, contributing to the improvement of the criminal justice system in Punjab. It will help National Police Bureau to carry out one of its core functions to evaluate police practices, identifying gaps and suggest actions to improve the rule of law and governance.

Public Policy Relevance:

The findings of this research project hold immense policy implications for the Pakistani government and law enforcement agencies. Addressing the identified issues can contribute to the enhancement of the overall efficacy of the criminal justice system, ensuring a more robust legal framework, improved investigative processes, and enhanced law enforcement capabilities. The policy recommendations and training protocol emerging from this research can guide further strategic interventions, resource allocation, and large-scale training programs aimed at fortifying the capacity of the police force. Additionally, insights from this study can inform policy reforms to streamline coordination between various components of the criminal justice system, promoting a more efficient and fair legal process. Ultimately, the research project is poised to offer actionable recommendations that align with the specific needs and challenges faced by law enforcement in Punjab, fostering a more effective and equitable criminal justice system in Pakistan.