Perhaps, as a society, we are still in a primitive stage when it comes to understanding the concept of respect, and also the fact that it is a two-way process. Respecting a person’s dignity and struggles is something we are far from mastering.
On 29 March, social media platforms were flooded with a video, memes, and posts of a Police officer who was seen manhandling, assaulting, and scolding in filth a person said to be a lorry driver. Media reports further claimed that the assault took place after the said lorry driver had caused an accident, in which a traffic Police officer sustained injuries.
Unarguably, the accident calls for action by law enforcement authorities; but is this the action the public expects? If Police officers can take the law into their hands, and be the judge, jury, and executioner, why does Sri Lanka have a judicial system?
Essentially, it is a matter of respect for each other, and the competency to deal with stressful situations.
First and foremost, Sri Lanka as a society lacks respect for each other, and most of the time, people expect it without even considering giving it. In the said case, neither the Police officer, nor the civilians who were present on the scene, had respect for the life or dignity of the lorry driver, and having deemed him responsible for the accident, had automatically and instantly devalued his right to be heard before punishment.
Sri Lanka’s law enforcement authorities, particularly those directly dealing with the public, should no longer be a force whose main forte is using force to maintain law and order. It is high time that the Police, like Police forces in socially progressive countries, identify their priority, i.e. serving and protecting the public. In order to do that, the Police force needs not just musclemen, nor brainiacs, but a combination of both.
Secondly, let us also not forget one important fact that gets subdued by the “Police torture” aspect of this incident, i.e. the conditions under which traffic Police officers work. Of the Police officers serving in different units of the Police Department, traffic Police officers deal with thousands of vehicles every day, under harsh weather conditions, on the streets. How much rest and facilities they get has a direct connection with their mental and physical well being, which in turn affects their stress level.
In this context, even though it is absolutely unacceptable, it is understandable that even an impromptu reaction of a person working under unfavourable conditions may devolve into a brutal assault. Police officers’ struggles rarely come to light, due to the public opinion that oppression, corruption, and venality are their inherent qualities.
Police brutality is not something that happens only in Sri Lanka, and this is not the first time such incidents were reported in Sri Lanka. But that does not justify the excessive use of Police power against civilians. On the contrary, it emphasises the importance of Sri Lanka learning from the world and its own history, and taking measures to teach the Police that they are merely intermediaries between the country’s law and the public.
Incidents of Police brutality violate the country’s supreme law, the Constitution, which says in Article 11 that no person should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. When the authorities, who are meant to protect the public from such treatment, subject the public to the same, it is nothing but a sign of a gaping lacunae in the law enforcement sector that needs to be filled.
Another disturbing fact is that no one who was present appeared to be trying to pacify the situation; instead, the video circulating on social media shows certain civilians also expressing support to the Police officer. This is unfortunate, as it implies that we, as a society, think that law enforcement authorities can enforce the law as they please, or worse – that offenders do not have rights.
This situation calls for a more in-depth investigation into the incident, which involves not just disciplinary action against the officer, but also an evaluation of the stress and anger management capacity of traffic Police officers.
While extending our support to victims of violence, let us not forget victims of circumstances. After all, respect is a two-way street.Policing the Police
31 Mar 2021
Policing the Police
31 Mar 2021
Perhaps, as a society, we are still in a primitive stage when it comes to understanding the concept of respect, and also the fact that it is a two-way process. Respecting a person’s dignity and struggles is something we are far from mastering.
On 29 March, social media platforms were flooded with a video, memes, and posts of a Police officer who was seen manhandling, assaulting, and scolding in filth a person said to be a lorry driver. Media reports further claimed that the assault took place after the said lorry driver had caused an accident, in which a traffic Police officer sustained injuries.
Unarguably, the accident calls for action by law enforcement authorities; but is this the action the public expects? If Police officers can take the law into their hands, and be the judge, jury, and executioner, why does Sri Lanka have a judicial system?
Essentially, it is a matter of respect for each other, and the competency to deal with stressful situations.
First and foremost, Sri Lanka as a society lacks respect for each other, and most of the time, people expect it without even considering giving it. In the said case, neither the Police officer, nor the civilians who were present on the scene, had respect for the life or dignity of the lorry driver, and having deemed him responsible for the accident, had automatically and instantly devalued his right to be heard before punishment.
Sri Lanka’s law enforcement authorities, particularly those directly dealing with the public, should no longer be a force whose main forte is using force to maintain law and order. It is high time that the Police, like Police forces in socially progressive countries, identify their priority, i.e. serving and protecting the public. In order to do that, the Police force needs not just musclemen, nor brainiacs, but a combination of both.
Secondly, let us also not forget one important fact that gets subdued by the “Police torture” aspect of this incident, i.e. the conditions under which traffic Police officers work. Of the Police officers serving in different units of the Police Department, traffic Police officers deal with thousands of vehicles every day, under harsh weather conditions, on the streets. How much rest and facilities they get has a direct connection with their mental and physical well being, which in turn affects their stress level.
In this context, even though it is absolutely unacceptable, it is understandable that even an impromptu reaction of a person working under unfavourable conditions may devolve into a brutal assault. Police officers’ struggles rarely come to light, due to the public opinion that oppression, corruption, and venality are their inherent qualities.
Police brutality is not something that happens only in Sri Lanka, and this is not the first time such incidents were reported in Sri Lanka. But that does not justify the excessive use of Police power against civilians. On the contrary, it emphasises the importance of Sri Lanka learning from the world and its own history, and taking measures to teach the Police that they are merely intermediaries between the country’s law and the public.
Incidents of Police brutality violate the country’s supreme law, the Constitution, which says in Article 11 that no person should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. When the authorities, who are meant to protect the public from such treatment, subject the public to the same, it is nothing but a sign of a gaping lacunae in the law enforcement sector that needs to be filled.
Another disturbing fact is that no one who was present appeared to be trying to pacify the situation; instead, the video circulating on social media shows certain civilians also expressing support to the Police officer. This is unfortunate, as it implies that we, as a society, think that law enforcement authorities can enforce the law as they please, or worse – that offenders do not have rights.
This situation calls for a more in-depth investigation into the incident, which involves not just disciplinary action against the officer, but also an evaluation of the stress and anger management capacity of traffic Police officers.
While extending our support to victims of violence, let us not forget victims of circumstances. After all, respect is a two-way street.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!