Recently, there has been much thoughts, reflections, retrospections, comments, judgments and conclusions on the concept and subject of ‘Community Policing’. At the outset, it may be asked ‘what is community policing?’ In the simplest terms, community policing would mean the community being involved or at least assisting in the maintenance of law and order in a community or a locality.
In fact, it can be said that one or the other form of community policing has always been there since the earliest of times. In other words, community policing actually preceded the real and actual policing system. Long before the institution of police or policing was even established, the members of the community had been involved in one or the other form of community policing. This was necessitated because of the many inherent attributes and facets of man and his society. Right from the earliest times, people with criminal-mindset or people who believe in surviving by breaking the law have been a part and parcel of every human community and society. These were the people who did not know or understand that ‘crime never pays’.
It was also the very nature and need of societal living that brought about the institution of police. The institution of police had to be established because the people wanted security and longevity of their lives and properties. In this way, the community and the institution of policing are intrinsically connected. Therefore, the community, by any means, has to be involved in the noble service of policing in one form or the other for its own safety and benefits. This is the reason why the role of the community in policing does not stop even after the establishment of the police institution.
Indeed, it would be really difficult, if not impossible, for a police institution to carry out its assigned duties and responsibilities in a community or society where the people are hostile, unfriendly and non-cooperative towards the policing system. This is so because even something as minor and insignificant as providing basic information about criminals, criminal activities or impending danger to the police personnel by the members of the community is also a sort of community policing. Therefore, if even this kind of very minimal help are not forthcoming from the members of the community, the police institution would be certainly handicapped and would not be able to realize its full potentials.
And it would be really a bonus and a boom for the police institution if the community is prepared to render even their time, property or personnel for the maintenance of law and decorum in the society. Surely, no police agency would be able to resist such good gestures and courtesies from the community members. But to what extent should the community members be given the responsibility or liberty to deal with the anti-social elements?
I guess one very important thing which the community members should realize is that they can come forward only to assist and not to direct or dictate as far as policing is concerned. This is so because there is already a separate police establishment with well-equipped manpower and infrastructure. Therefore, the community should have the due respect and regards for the police institution, police personnel and even police stations. All the police personnel working in the police institution are trained in dealing with emergency situations, criminal investigations etc whereas majority of the community members would be totally naïve in these matters. And I believe a trained personnel is always more efficient than an untrained one.
But what about a situation where these so-called trained police personnel are not able to carry out their duties and responsibilities to the satisfaction of the public? In such a situation, the public losing their trust, respect and confidence in the police institution is always a possibility. And if such a thing does happen, there would be no other way for the community other than to take more active and vibrant roles in policing for the safety of their own lives and property. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the top brasses of the police establishment to ensure that the public do not lose their faith and confidence in the police institution and personnel. In the event of the failure of the top bosses of the police to secure and maintain the faith and confidence of the community, some members of the community taking law into their own hands is always a high possibility.
Yes, when a community starts to involve itself in policing due to the failure of the police institution or due to the lack of faith and believe in the police department, a very risky situation arises. This is so because the possibility of emotions and feelings overpowering the principle of fairness and justice is always there in such a situation. And this can lead to confrontations and ugly situations between two or more communities especially when the culprit or the suspect is not a member of that community. Therefore, the community should come forward only to assist the policing system and not to replace it. And this is another solid reason why the police institution has to be in a strong, reliable, efficient and trustworthy state all the time.
In a multi-tribal society like ours where a particular community is usually concentrated in a particular region, a community policing case taking on an ugly tribal color is always a possibility and a danger. Therefore, even though there is no denying the fact that the community has to be actively involved in policing, restraints and cautions have to be maintained at every step. And yes, it would also be really beneficial and fruitful for the Nagas if every situation and circumstance is not viewed through the prism of tribalism.
Recently, I read somewhere that in countries like Ireland, when the community is involved in policing activities, they are required to give regular reports and accounts of their activities to the concerned authorities. In many countries of Africa also, many communities have been active in policing for decades due to the presence of wild animals in many parts where these dangerous creatures often roam and penetrate into human habitations threatening human lives and property. And to deal with these dangers, the police certainly needs the information, guide, help, cooperation and participation of the community. Thus, even though the number of wild animals in Africa has been on the decline, the people are still very open and frank to the idea and practice of community policing due to their past experiences.
Thus, it has to be understood clearly that the police institution was established for the benefit and welfare of the community. As such, policing of any nature is evidently directed towards the welfare of the members of the community. Thus, the police and the community are intrinsically connected and this means that the community has to do everything possible on its part to make the policing system and activity more effective, more efficient, more reliable, more productive and more resourceful in order for it to realize its full and desired potential.
Therefore, even in today’s world, community policing has not lost its relevance, practicality and utility. In fact, it is a much-needed philosophy and mission which should be a part of every modern society and community. In fact, in the coming times, more and more involvement of the community would be required by the police establishment in tackling the many menaces of society. The only concern is that community policing should be practiced with proper guidance, restraint and only as a supplement and complement to the police institution and establishment and not the other way round…………..
