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non-Police State Crime seems to be rampant, with the populated Western Province facing the brunt of it. While it is commendable that the Police Department has collated and analysed the figures, crime prevention is clearly the crying need of the hou r. Especially at a time when the cost-of-living is soaring to a point where it actually hurts most people, young people are without work, and as we pointed out last week, population growth is stripping economic growth, when limited resources have to be shared by a bigger number, increased crime becomes a natural by-product. Politicians of all hues have been known promoters of crime in this country, and policemen their eager accomplices. It was therefore heartening to hear Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and the UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya urge the police to combat this surge in crime, even if they were mere statements made for the cameras from elevated desks. Yet, even if political parties cannot come together on other vital issues of national importance, speaking in one voice and rallying together to curb and eradicate this menace will be a good start for a national campaign. So, when the cabinet took up the issue of the Police for discussion last week, it was indeed a sad state of affairs when the criticism of the top brass was for not permitting the Prime Minister's security entourage to park at the Parliament complex, and the bashing of demonstrating trade unionists, but nary a word about rising crime statistics. That was the priority shown to policing at the apex level of Government. While the forces of good must join hands, the Police Department, the main player on the scene needs more dynamism in grappling with crime. They are running out of excuses - lack of personnel, political interference and terrorism duty. Personnel, they have aplenty, so much so, that many within their ranks are part of the problem. The advent of the National Police Commission, with all their faults, is a valuable step forward in de-politicising the Service. Some of its detractors, entitled as they are to find legitimate faults in the workings of this independent Commission, will surely not opt to return to the days when the ruling party politician dictated terms. There appears to be a campaign to find fault with the National Police Commission, and there are plenty of faults to find. The solution however is not to go back to the bad old days, and bad old ways, of not-so-long-ago. To use an old phrase, we must not throw out the baby with the bath-water. The solution is to restore the pride of those privileged to wear the khaki uniform, which will earn them the respect their illustrious predecessors of some-years-ago enjoyed. It is time to go back to the policing methods of yesteryear. For the bulk of the crimes committed today remain the traditional crimes of murder, rape, robbery, house-breaking, pick-pocketing and snatching. Unfortunately, the policeman-on-the-beat is a thing of the past. There is, alas, no such thing as the neighbourhood cop doing his rounds any more. A popular story that did the rounds recently is how a duty-conscious traffic policeman stopped a driver for speeding. While he was writing out a ticket, he also flagged down a Pajero, obviously of a VIP, flying past. The VIP had asked the policeman whether he was insane to stop him because Pajeros and such luxury vehicles, specially imported by politicos were meant to speed. When he drove off arrogantly, the policeman, in all fairness, had let the other driver off as well. Can we blame the policeman for deciding that what is sauce for the goose should also be sauce for the gander? The only silver lining to the story was that the Pajero stopped at all. Concomitant with asking the police to roll up their sleeves, and the politician to lay off from interfering is the need to change the mindset of police personnel that they are engaged in a mundane, poorly-paid and thankless job. Most public servants probably feel that way, particularly when they see others flaunting their ill-gotten wealth. It can be discouraging. Reviewing their salaries does not seem to be an option of a Government that is struggling to make ends meet. Policemen are not the best paid anywhere in the world, even where crime has been tackled effectively. A handsome reward scheme, financial and promotional, might be one method of providing the policeman and policewoman recognition of their services. Righting these wrongs would be a Herculean task; what would look like an impossibility. The faint hearted would simply give up and let the downhill trend take its course. Only the brave hearts can make the difference. |
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