Superintendent of Police Abdullah Nawaz has said that it is possible to identify riot police officers who have their faces covered during violent protests, and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) police officers who have their faces covered during special operations.
Nawaz said at a press conference held at Iskandar Koshi today, that it is normal practice also in developed countries for police officers to have their faces covered during special operations, and that there are ways to identify those police officers.
Nawaz did not share any details on how they can be identified.
However talking to Sun Online after the press conference, Nawaz said that the independent institutions responsible for holding police officers accountable for their actions are informed of the system whereby the police officers can be identified.
When asked by Sun Online if the pink numbers on the helmets and shoulders of the jackets worn by riot police officers during protests, Nawaz replied ‘yes’.
Vice President of Police Integrity Commission (PIC) Hala Hameed said that cases against five police officers who beat protesters on 7 and 8 February 2012 could not be send to the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office because the officers could not be identified.
Similarly, PIC has said that the police officers who allegedly beat Kaashidhoo MP Abdullah Jabir when he was arrested in the island of Hdh. Hondaidhoo for drinking alcohol, also could not be identified.
When asked if the system to identify police officers whose faces are covered was established after the Hondaidhoo operation, Nawaz refused to comment.