Police exist to protect citizens, not violate them

The National Letters

It is terrifying to hear and read about the rise in police brutality and their abuse of constitutional duty.
It is not right for the police or any disciplinary officer to use violence against any citizen, whether it’s a family member of another citizen. Subjecting citizens to violence breaches the Constitution and people’s right to safety and protection.
Police, and other institutions like the military, have statutory duties to perform for the State, but the rights of the State lie in the hands of the general citizens of the country, therefore any institution which has been delegated or vested rights by the State has a duty to protect the State through lawful means.
The police and military have no rights or delegated duty to use violence against ordinary citizens during ordinary times. The police, especially, exists to protect the interest and rights of the people by maintaining law and order. Using violence is not part of that role.
The powers of the police are primarily to maintain law and order by:

  • Arresting and charging lawbreakers and detaining them in police cells so that they can face the law through the courts;
  • Ensuring peace and good order in the community;
  • Providing security to all citizens so that our rights and freedom and our properties are protected;
  • Investigating criminal activities and bringing accused people before the courts;
  • Escort very important persons when the need arises; and
  • Enforcing the orders of the courts.

These are the main duties of the police and any actions by them that are contrary to these roles are criminal.
It doesn’t matter what the social status or position or objective police officers have, their duty is to ensure that the law achieves its purpose. Everyone should allow the law to work as it is intended to be and that requires a collective effort and whether the law has achieved its purpose depends on the actions police take and decisions they make.
Using violence will lead to more violence and offending and will not achieve the purpose of the law to promote freedom and equality.
The police have a duty to follow the law and act according to the law, which means that what they do in their lives and our lives should not be in conflict with the law. What they do in the maintenance of their constitutional duties should be lawful.
Police officers should respect the rights of individuals and citizens. They have a constitutional duty to execute and not a legitimate right to apply extreme violence.

Eric Mumson Piuk
Gerehu Stage 4
NCD