Malfeasance of the law-enforcers

Dimension and concern
The malevolence of policemen justifiably scare the public because defenders and enforcers are increasingly turning into deadly villains. Experiences show that incidents of teachers being hauled up in brothel during block raid or caught in the act of accepting illegal gratification or religious teachers apprehended for unnatural sexual act and similar other offences committed by other professions do not raise a furore of the same dimension as in the case of police misfeasance or strike the news headlines. The media and other watchdogs do not blame the non-police deviant's act as the crimes of a particular class or occupation. While well intentioned policemen may feel demoralised due to the wholesale accusation of their occupation due to the despicable acts of some of their wayward colleagues, the fact remains that the scenario of law-enforcers breaking laws automatically assumes heightened significance thereby attracting wider publicity. One has to appreciate the urgency and concern.

Entry and bitterness
The informed public entertain grave doubts about the credibility of the recruitment process of lower functionaries in the police department. The amount of political interference in such exercise is allegedly shocking and disgusting during all political regimes. Politicians remain under the erroneous impression that their chosen candidates being recruited in police department will be an asset. Such appointees mostly become a liability for the individual politician and the public at large. Whatever be the case, the unfortunate reality is that often recruitments have been made on considerations other than merit and ability. In this act, some police officers also collude to satisfy their political masters. The net result is that undesirable elements find entry into positions that do not need them. Such recruits who are suspected of entering the service by greasing the palm of influentials do not ever realise the gravity of the society's trust reposed in their job. They try to recoup their investments at the earliest without any qualms of conscience.

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Following recruitment there is the training schedule wherein also there are allegations of subjecting the trainees to undue pressures. It is not, therefore, unusual that the appointees turn into bitter individuals who could care less in their job. The dehumanising experience at the formative period of one's career take its toll. The sergeant accused of robbing could be one of those bitter figures. Whether that suspicion is well-founded or not, the unfortunate fact is that with increased criminalisation of politics it is becoming difficult to control the delinquent policemen who nurture a close nexus between themselves and the politicians in power. Equally culpable are the lax supervisors.

We have to unfortunately agree that the standards of recruitment in police have declined over the years and many undeserving candidates have managed to secure entry through unfair means. Once in uniform, this lot lets the lure of the lucre take its toll and never hesitate to deviate from the expected norms of behaviour. The training, specially of the lower ranks, has been sadly neglected and there is a distinct lack of emphasis on the various aspects of desired police behaviour. Our training is too much punishment -- oriented and regimented with excessive stress of discipline and subordination.

In effect, we have to appreciate that the responsibility for failure to improve the standards of police recruitment and training must fall squarely on both the politicians and the police professionals. They have not risen to the occasion but that does not mean that the unhealthy practice should continue to the detriment of a vital profession.

Administrative and political imperatives
Recruitment standards must improve by strictly curbing corrupt practices at the time of recruitment. Officers with a record of commendable honesty and integrity should be entrusted with the responsibility of conducting police recruitment. This is important because the crux of good policing is the efficient and amiable presence of a well-qualified, trained and motivated constable. The need is to change training programmes from isolated, closed rigidities to integrated inter-disciplinary programmes for the preparation of sensitive enforcement professionals. 'Ethical awareness' training can be introduced to address corruption as a form of socialisation in police work and confronting officers with simulated situations invoking a decision-making process. The minds of the field functionaries should be constantly grilled by holding training courses at the district and police station levels.

There should be a concentrated drive to make it difficult for a dishonest person to remain in focal position. Superior officers have to set examples by maintaining their private lives above board. Since maximum corruption is due to poor service conditions, it should improve commensurate with the nature of job a policeman performs. At the same time, corruption should be dealt with an iron hand. All these are tall orders and therefore, in order to reach the objective of much needed attitudinal change, the proper environment has to be created so that policemen can perform with a sense of pride and fulfilment.

The political imperatives for creating a truly professional police force are of utmost importance and demand the attention of all segments of the society. It may be of interest to know that the French police do not act and behave like their English counterparts, largely because of historical reasons, although the two countries are separated by a channel only. Multiple revolutions in France had their impact on all institutions there including the police and interestingly the French are not particularly fond of their policemen. The English 'Bobbies' still retain their composure and professional elan although their reputation too was tainted by the criminal conduct of some policemen in late 70's and early 80's. The 'Blair Pitch incident' relating to the death of a teacher by police action in London and 'Operation Countryman' conducted for detecting criminal policemen involved in bank robbery and other crimes may be recalled.

These incidents are cited not to justify the malfeasance and misfeasance of our policemen but only to highlight the historical perspective in which our policemen's behaviour pattern has to be judged. The criminal action of our policemen cannot be treated lightly under any circumstances. However, the point to draw one's attention is whether in a predominantly reactive culture characterised by rampant impropriety in public life we are expecting our policemen to behave in a phlegmatic manner.

It also needs to be ascertained whether the aggressively acquisitive behaviour of the influential along with the criminalisation of our political process have encouraged the potential delinquency lurking in many hearts including those of policemen. Our policemen with hopelessly low pay enjoy wide ranging powers to curtail liberty. In these circumstances, it is difficult to keep them immune to the virus of get-rich-quick disease. This is a field reality with which conscientious police managers are grappling. The conspicuous consumption of the arrogant new rich has its impact on the policemen who, on account of the nature of their job, are witnesses to the reckless and lavish spending of the former. This dimension of our socio-political scene has to be kept in consideration while deliberating on issues of corruption of public servants including policemen.

The deviation of policemen in the form of criminal acts and other illegal activities are always deplorable as they shake the foundation of the society by eroding faith and trust in the rule of law. The most visible symbol of authority can never escape criticism for malfunctioning of any description. They cannot ignore public opinion. This needs to be constantly impressed upon the rank and file. At the same time it needs to be seriously examined at the earliest whether the bulk of our police force should continue to be ludicrously equated with the unskilled workers and whether police modernisation schemes will remain an area of low priority.

Muhammad Nurul Huda is a former Secretary and IGP