KARACHI, Jan 23: Though the police service is beset with multifarious problems, the path towards reform requires the masses to get engaged and lobby the authorities to push forward the agenda of fundamental change, while the media and concerned citizens need to play the role of watchdogs to ensure there is transparency in the way the police set-up is run.
This was one of the proposals proffered at a focus discussion, held on Friday at a local hotel, to try and lift this key organ of the law-enforcement apparatus out of the current morass it finds itself in. Hosted by Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment, a local non-governmental organisation, the discussion was the last of a series conducted by the NGO under a programme titled ‘National project for participatory citizens-police interaction and training for improved policing of human rights violations and advocating police reforms’.
Friday’s focus discussion was organised to get feedback from members of the media while similar forums have been held with citizens, politicians, police personnel and NGOs. Shehri hopes to synthesise the views expressed at each of the forums and present them to the stakeholders in the form of a draft document for further discussion.
Though the discussion was primarily meant to derive possible solutions to the problem of inefficiency and corruption within the police, many participants vented their frustrations and reiterated the many complaints people have with the force. The session was moderated by Gulmina Bilal while Shehri general-secretary Amber Ali Bhai and member Khateeb Ahmed also participated, along with representatives of various media organisations.
At the outset it was mentioned that the NGO had been working with police on human rights training for the last four or five years as there were not too many institutions working directly with the police. “We have forgotten that the police are also citizens,” said Ms Bilal, adding that their rights, welfare and resources also had to be considered.
Political meddling
It was mentioned that political intervention was a major problem, with meddling starting right from the recruitment process of policemen, as political parties inducted their favourites into the force. This meddling continued right up to the point of postings and promotions.
As a solution, a citizens’ committee was proposed, consisting of politicians, the media and other citizens, which would oversee the recruitment process.
When the police were consulted in previous discussions, their representatives complained that the media only focussed on the force’s negative aspects and failed to praise their achievements, saying that if 80 per cent of policemen were corrupt, 20 per cent were honest, but their services were not acknowledged. Representatives of NGOs tended to agree with this view.
Nazeer Leghari, journalist and member of the Sindh Public Safety Commission (PSC), said that after the promulgation of the Police Order 2002, there was an impression that the force would be transformed into Scotland Yard. However, he claimed the SPSC hardly met and saw its powers steadily shorn to the point that today, it had become merely an advisory body. He added that the situation had not improved with the change in government.
‘Authoritarian attitudes’
“The police are a mirror or society. The authoritarian attitudes flow from the top down. If the police perform, we do report it. There are dedicated police officers. But even they have to keep quiet when directed by superior forces,” said Mr Leghari.
However, he said dialogue was important and should continue as establishing communications with the police was essential.
Ms Ali Bhai said that when the constable-level policemen were invited to air their views in the focus discussions, they were elated as somebody was willing to listen to them. “One would cry if one hears what they have to say. Do we really keep our police in such a terrible condition?” She added that the constables considered themselves the most abused segment of the police hierarchy.
One journalist claimed that some members of the media were in cahoots with corrupt cops.
Senior journalist Shahid Husain said that whenever the police were mentioned, the word corruption came to mind. “This is because corruption has been legalized. When the price of bread rises, people have no choice but to fend for themselves. Until there is a cultural revolution, nothing will change.”
Khateeb Ahmed observed that laws to enable proper community policing existed, but it was just a matter of implementing them. “We have to take the initiative.”
Journalist Syed A. Mateen was critical of the Police Order 2002, saying that people did not know about it, and that it was formulated by bureaucrats and policemen. “It is treated as scripture. People don’t know their own rights, hence the police abuse their power. Police stations serve as illegal detention centres.”
<>bClass system
It was also mentioned that there was a class system within the police force: the lower ranking personnel were treated like animals while the officers acted like the elite. “The IG should live in the same colony as common policemen,” Mr Mateen said.
A journalist said the police were caught between opposing political forces and were at times helpless, adding that the number of policemen on the ground was not increasing with the city’s rising population.
Another participant said the police were corrupt because they were underpaid, while a media-person was of the opinion that certain members of the media and the elite also abused police officers.
Ms Bilal said it was not correct to assume that the Police Order 2002 was incomprehensible or unavailable as it was easily available on the internet while books have also been published on it. “Police colonies, hospitals and schools do exist but they are not functional,” she added. She also reiterated the importance of parliamentary standing committees, saying that they would not meet until citizens demanded it and lobbied for this, adding that their reports should be analysed.
One participant said that perhaps the police were trained to be violent and had started to internalise torture.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.