Battle lines drawn over crime
It's unfair to tar all policemen at the local station with the same brush
SUNDAY night’s Carte Blanche broadcast segment of the vote of no confidence in Toti SAP and rampant crime levels in the area has resulted in the battle lines being drawn locally.
While people square up on both sides of the divide – both in defence of and in opposition to the perceived ineptitude and unaccountability among the police station’s management – hopefully there will be an unintended spin-off in that service levels within all divisions of the local police station will improve.
That is, after all, what everyone is hoping for.
The reality is that residents have a right to expect a responsive, and in fact, a pro-active police presence on the ground, which is manned by enthusiastic and civic-minded policemen whose intention is to minimise crime and deal with criminals effectively. Equally important is that these policemen have the necessary resources and are empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their ability.
It’s been said countless times – in this very newspaper – that pride in the police uniform starts with the police themselves. And when they respect their uniform and carry out their duties reflecting such pride, the community – both criminal and law-abiding – can only but give the requisite respect.
It’s unfair to tar all policemen at the local station with the same brush, though it appears the issue is more with the station management for its lack of accountability in dealing with offending policemen who abuse their rights or fail to act within the bounds of the law. When this is the case, surely it is in everyone, especially the police’s best interests to root out inefficiencies and inadequacies and deal with them?
The proud men and women in blue need to be praised for their good work. But equally, they need to take note when constructive comments bring to light valid grievances.
