Police - Their Predicament

Understanding the Police, Not Just Judging Them

We have been listening, hearing, and seeing news on what police have done, and so on. I am by no means trying to justify the wrongs by police. I was trying to understand their behavior. I actually empathize with many of them. Some of them may deserve the harshest punishment for their acts under what I call power intoxication.

If we closely look at their work, we would find the kind of work they end up doing.

A large number of them are required to stand in place, irrespective of weather, just to facilitate the movement of hundreds of red beacon light vehicles. I consider that task absolutely unnecessary. In many cases, the policeman on duty may not even have any regard for the person inside such a vehicle. He may be an unwilling participant in this exercise.

A large number of them are often stationed near the house of a so called political leader. It is funny to know that these political leaders are afraid of those whom they represent. This is again a non value added task performed by them.

In today's world of technological advancement, they are still expected to deal with archaic and faulty equipment. We keep reading news about faulty equipment and ammunition.

While I have not seen it personally, we have seen comments in society and in movies suggesting that at the lower level, they are used for personal errands as well.

If we seriously think about all these things, many policemen are actually among the most frustrated lot with reference to their job and work culture.

In my view, while it is important to correct them through the legal route for their misdeeds, it is more important to bring reform to the work culture and job enrichment within the police force. This would make them a motivated lot and possibly help them think positive.