Police need cultural change

 OUR Media is full with bad news about police. 

Whether it is insubordination, abuse of power, brutality, denial of human rights, negligence or legal representations and liability, the public is losing trust in the nation’s police force.

Leaders must be lights. How they lead and what examples they set for the rank and file will help the force to regain public trust.

In a recent newsletter from the American Management Association , five ways are discussed to assist leaders build culture of trust in organisations. 

I would recommend our police hierarchy to consider these five ways to improve the work ethics culture among their rank and file personnel. 

For brevity I provide the headings only.

1. Lead by example

2. Show your commitment every single day

3. Acknowledge and reward success

4. Build coalitions and maintain civility

5. Transparency counts, especially when dealing with the public.

Leaders of police in the provinces must also be accountable to the command and control at Police Headquarters in Konedobu. Discipline will be a big must.

Police personnel will need constant reminder and encouragement to see their role in society as protector of people and their assets. 

Peace and security will be achieved when people trust police to attend to their concerns and issues. Fear and anxiety produces distrust. Leaders must earn trust to be trusted.

James Wanjik

Port Moresby