Police Week – a time for introspection
The five day Police Week 2017 started yesterday with much festivity and enthusiasm among the police force. While we applaud the 132 police officers and constables who have been awarded for their commendable work and dedication, we cannot help but point out that this occasion is ideal for some introspection within the force and also those who are supposed to be overseeing its functions. This is because the public perception of the police is at a significantly low level stemming from the blatant politicisation of this vital component of governance and public security.
There is, unfortunately, politicisation in both recruitment and in the way the police force is used by the ruling party of the day, and this unsavoury tradition has lingered through consecutive regimes. Added to that is the inadequate pay and perks of the police at the lower and middle rungs of the ladder resulting in disgruntlement and incentivising corrupt practices.
The ultimate consequence of these anomalies is a lack of accountability of the force allowing errant members to abuse power. Allegations of extortion, torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have blemished the image of this crucial force and overshadowed all the good work that it members do. Political appointments also compromise the quality of candidates and deprive the worthy ones who could have been assets to the organisation
The police are supposed to be the protectors of the state and the people. Instead, they often evoke fear, resentment and mistrust among the public. We want a people-oriented, modern police force, and for that the first thing that needs to be done is to de-politicise it and make it accountable to the public. Only then will people have confidence in its members rather than fear.
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