RIYADH: In a bid to discipline its members and improve their performance, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has ordered its field workers to give a written undertaking they would not chase any car even if they suspect the inmates are involved in foul play.
According to a recent circular sent by the presidency of the commission to its branch offices across the Kingdom, field members have been directed to inform the police if they detect any such violation. The circular directed its 3,557 field members to inform the nearest police station instead of chasing any suspect vehicle.
It is the duty of the commission members to check moral violations — illegal mixing of men and women, harassment of women by men and immodest conduct by men or women. According to the circular, the commission members only need to provide to the police details about the suspected vehicle such as its registration number and other descriptions that may help in the identification of the vehicle, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.
The presidency’s move comes in the wake of mounting criticism against some commission members whose action led to several mishaps.
The presidency noted that the responsibility vested in the commission members to chase the vehicle of a moral violator has not produced the desired results but in some cases led to road accidents.
Relentless chase by zealous commission members recently have reportedly caused several deaths. Relatives of a young man and woman who died following a hot chase by vice cops in Tabuk city have accused the commission members of murder and are planning to sue them. Some commission members were also reportedly involved in the car chase that led to the death of a young man in Madinah recently.
When the commission came under attack for such accidents and deaths, two committees — one in Riyadh and another in Madinah — were constituted to investigate the charges against the members. The commission has also made it clear that action would be taken against the members who overstepped the legal limits.
The president of the commission had several times in the past made it clear that the commission members did not have the power to chase or arrest any suspect. They should only inform the police, who are the right authority to find and arrest the suspects.
While the total number of the field workers of the commission is put at 3,554, there are 628 administrative staff. There are also 117 security officials, 345 drivers, 116 messengers and 266 other workers. The commission uses 1,634 cars.
The commission has been conducting several programs to train and develop the skills of its staff members, particularly the field workers. It wants its members to be polite in dealing with the public and remain within the limits of its jurisdiction. More than 3,100 commission members have attended the training programs, which is 48 percent more than the previous year.
