While joining in the celebrations to commemorate Police Day, we must remember that the job of the police is extremely important to protecting the safety of citizens. However, with so many challenges able to arise from the daily operations of the police, many critical issues make this important function in society riddled with complications.
It is enough that the nature of the job itself is extremely dangerous, as it requires police to deal with hostile criminals regularly. But over and above that, they have to overcome daunting challenges, whether through the use of less-than-lethal weapons, staying ahead of criminals' technological intelligence, tackling terrorist organisations, or overcoming much of the criticism that is directed at them due to the actions of corrupt individuals.
Despite the many challenges that come along with being a police officer, the role is vitally important to preserving the safety of the general public. Police officers are exposed to a massive amount of devastation every day they are on the job. This is caused by hostile behaviour towards them, witnessing death, and experiencing many of the harsh realities that come along with crime, which itself comes in various shapes and degrees of gravity.
The danger, high demands and exposure to human misery and death that police officers experience on the job contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health outcomes. The long-term mental and physical health effects of police officers are caused by the nature of their work.
This shows that the role of the police officer requires them to be able to overcome many of the challenges that they face daily. Perhaps the most difficult task of being a police officer is the many difficulties that are faced when stepping into the line of duty. The job plays such an important role in society that these officers need to ensure they are looking out for the public's best interest, and a key to accomplishing that task is being able to overcome the massive burden of seeing the devastation daily.
Police officers must consistently stay on top of the many technological changes that are occurring every day. If they let the criminals get ahead of them, it could be chaos. Technology is often used in many white-collar crimes, but that is not an exclusive application. Technology is used to increase the success rate of virtually any type of crime. Police are not only tasked with knowing the various ways technology can be used to commit crimes, but they can also use technology to better protect the public. Advancements in technology that help police overcome the challenges of their job include the bodycam and the in-car camera system, which improve the ability to not only identify those who have committed crimes, but they can also prove an officer's innocence if they are accused of wrongdoing.
Various issues arise in the relationship between homeland security and law enforcement, and it often presents a further challenge to the police force as officers attempt to execute their daily duties. Surveillance and intelligence are two of the most important components of the relationship between the two parties, and they can cause a huge burden for police officers. This puts further strain on what the police can do to protect the public.
Police face a further challenge when attempting to execute their jobs: public perception. When a police officer, or group of police officers, breaks the law, the story is widely published. This creates the illusion that the majority of police officers are corrupt. That is certainly not the case, and many officers are in their roles because they believe in the greater good of the public. This creates an additional burden that the police must overcome to try to improve public safety.
Most police officers know that the job they are taking on is not easy. However, there are so many factors to fight against as a police officer, and this makes performing the task of protecting the public exceedingly difficult. Police officers have to be very tough individuals to overcome the many issues that arise from their daily responsibilities. Those who are not built of stone often fall into despair, resulting in health complications and even suicide. The job is one of the most difficult in society, but it is also one of the most important. To recruit the best individuals and keep them on the job, many changes need to take place, because right now, the hard-working individuals who protect the streets are not being given enough recognition for their hard work.
Regrettably, however, there remain a few downsides to this year's Police Day celebrations. Some high-profile cases of serious failings, misconduct and questionable behaviour by the higher echelons of our police corps have overshadowed the good work that the average police official accomplishes every day.
We must filter out the few remaining concerns raised about police standards and culture in our country.
As it is, our police corps can rightly boast that ninety percent of the population trusts them, according to a National Statistics Office survey, albeit at varying levels, but it is clear that failing to act in corruption, fraud, and money laundering cases involving high-profile politically exposed individuals remains a conspicuous blot on their image.
Coupled with their current motto, 'Domine dirige nos', perhaps they should insert the universal principle that 'no one is above the law': not a politician, not a priest, not a criminal, not a police officer. We are all accountable for our actions.
Dr Mark Said is a lawyer