THE IMPACT OF THE KP POLICE ACT 2017 ON GROUND-LEVEL POLICING AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN SWAT

Abstract

This paper reviews the implications of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police Act 2017, focusing on its effects on police autonomy, accountability, and community trust. Using secondary data, government reports, media articles, and selected cases from District Swat, the review explores how legal and institutional reforms have reshaped policing culture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Findings suggest that while the Act introduced substantial structural changes to enhance independence and professionalism in the police, its on-ground impact remains uneven. The experience from Swat illustrates a slow but positive transformation in citizen-police relations, particularly through initiatives such as women police stations, community liaison committees, and improved internal oversight mechanisms. However, persistent issues like political interference, resource constraints, and public mistrust continue to challenge reform outcomes