By: Sajjad Hussain Nekokara
A citizen needs three principle protections from the state, of life, liberty and property. The rest of the state functions revolve around provision of public goods which are always in short supply but still tolerable. While other public facilities necessary for thriving, the protection is necessary for surviving. The latter comes before former, and before everything else. To provide the protection, the state first monopolies the coercive power to the exclusion of all. This coercive power is vested in the police to protect lie, liberty and property of citizens.
While the police exist basically to prevent crime and disorder, their ability to performing their duties is dependent upon public approval of their actions. By gaining public trust, the police can secure the public’s co-operation in voluntary observance of the law. As noted “The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.”
The recent incident of motorway rape case drew the attention of civil society, administration and media towards the apathy of police it shown regarding that case.
The police in Pakistan has mostly be used as an oppressive instrument of the state. The rulers hold over police control through transfers, postings, promotions, investigations and other administrative and operational matters destroys police discipline. In this equation between the police and politics, the real sufferers are the hapless people of this country for whom good governance, merit, fairness, integrity, and efficiency remain an elusive dream.
The recent incident of motorway rape case drew the attention of civil society, administration and media towards the apathy of police it shown regarding that case. Instead of accepting loopholes in the police department, the capital city police officer indirectly blamed the victim by asking her why she was travelling in mid-night without prior checking of fuel in her car. A welfare state provides security to its citizens 24 hours whether it is a day or a night. Such type of reprehensible statements by a police officer put a question mark on the efficiency of state apparatus.
A focused effort is the one that does not lose sight of the basics. It is ultimately about efficiency and attitudes. These two prongs should form the foundation of any reform effort. Police performance is conditional about professionalism which can only come from training and work environment. In this regard, former additional IGP training Punjab, Tariq Masood Yasin, played a pivotal role to promote the positive image of police in the society. He introduced modern courses to enhance the capacity of Punjab police and make police public friendly in true sense. Moreover, new courses taken in their fold ethical courses along with courses regarding domestic violence, child abuse, women harassment and other new forms of crimes regarding with new criminal world. Indeed, it is remarkable work for the country’s policing towards the professionalism.
There is a dire need to depoliticize the police force. In order to depoliticize the force, the head of the police department or agency must have a securing tenure. The IGP must have a securing tenure of 2-3 years to translate his vision into reality.
The metropolitan model of policing should be established in large urban cities. To start with Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad, should do away with archaic, small scale police stations, and replace them with divisions headed by superintendents of police with complete administrative and financial support.
Apart from it, there should be a robust accountability system for police department. The electronic and social media have already shaped the discourse, which is no more about public dealing and less about recoveries and figures. The police department is one of the most punishing department but also the most forgiving. Accountability has to be at all levels; internal as well as external, and horizontal as well as vertical.
Adequate police accommodation should be provided for police officials to live with their families in the cities, districts, subdivisions, and stations where they are posted. Policing is not like the military at the borders. They work for the community and therefore, must live within the community they serve.
The working conditions of the polices must improve, including 8 hours shifts, weekly day off, overtime allowance, food on duty, transportation facilities, and other welfare measures.
In the end, leadership is not only about winning the heart and minds of those under one’s command but also about the ability of taking difficult decisions in the face of adversity and upholding certain principles. It is nowhere more important than in a police culture trying out for true leadership. The police today need good role-models. To stop frequent and unnecessary changes in the police this as virtually paralyzed the administration. Let us hope for a bright future of police service in Pakistan and let us pray that those who are responsible for doing so get the courage and vision needed for the task.
The writer is a lawyer and can be reached at [email protected]
