Notes from a former police chief: Law enforcement in the worst of times

On May 09, a video was recorded of dozens of policemen, all with masks covering their faces, dragging a disabled teenage girl. It badly tarnished the moral image of the police in Pakistan.

The brutality of law enforcers is not something new. But social media is. Every movement is noted, the good often forgotten and the bad reaching millions of people in a matter of minutes. As a former inspector-general of police, I say we bow our heads in disbelief and shame at seeing women being brutally mistreated by the force. The way civil armed forces acted on May 09, while taking into custody Pakistan’s former prime minister, reminded one of Iftikhar Chaudhry, the ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan being pushed and manhandled by Capital Police in 2007. It subsequently cost General Pervez Musharraf his powerful throne. 

Undoubtedly, we don’t learn from history. Remember, the czar of Russia was heavily guarded and when the mob chanting slogans reached his palace, the guards quietly joined them. 

Controlling a charged mob in policing presents immense challenges, and our training deficiencies were starkly exposed. While the use of force could be considered an option, it was not the sole answer to the situation at hand. Unfortunately, our approach revealed a greater display of tyranny than wisdom in dealing with the circumstances.

Alas, we haven’t learned from our own checkered history. Thanks to the Court’s sanity, the situation was diffused. But in obeying the orders half-heartedly, the ego battle was felt by the whole country. More interesting to note is the denial by all stakeholders in issuing the arrest orders. 

In today’s Pakistan, when a perfect storm comprising a severe economic crisis, soaring inflation, and political instability has gripped the nation, should national interest or self-esteem be supreme? 

A pertinent question is being asked: When the ex-PM was being dragged and arrested illegally from the premises of the court, was public reaction not expected? If the answer is ‘yes’, it is highly naïve. And if the answer is ‘no’, then how were people able to reach the house of the most senior officer in the city and ransack it? Where was local police? 

Though the scenes showed the despair of people, it also exposed the fault lines of opportunists capitalizing on a fragile situation. In their simplicity, people walked into a trap and later paid for it heavily.

Controlling a charged mob in policing presents immense challenges, and our training deficiencies were starkly exposed. While the use of force could be considered an option, it was not the sole answer to the situation at hand.

Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam

In a situation where the media is banned from passing on the right information, rumors have a field day. How many died, were injured or jailed is open for all social media users to report. Accepting damaging narratives without question, intensifying the already perilous situation-- all of it is distressing. The so-called red lines have crumbled, leaving people and state power disconnected and lacking agreement. In the face of a faltering social contract, how can the enforcement of the law be effectively ensured?

The numbers of arrests, casualties, and injuries inflicted by or upon law enforcers are no longer subjects of debate. While violence and acts of revenge are undoubtedly condemnable, the situation becomes even more concerning when the state itself becomes a participant, twisting laws and perpetuating this pattern for decades, leading to disastrous consequences. 

Who is to be blamed? I am sure in the days to come, many holding the important seats, will come up with excuses that they were helpless.  Interestingly, the pursuit for key positions continues. 

These are indeed the worst of times, as law enforcement appears polarized and conspicuously absent in their duties. Those in positions of authority seem eager to mistreat the very community that gave them birth, exemplifying the corrupting influence of power. The desire to hold them accountable, akin to belling the cat, remains but is seldom realized.

Those acting as guardians live inside the myth that these protestors are villain, anti-state, and heretic. The ‘Lucifer Effect, unveiled by the Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971’, vividly showcases how ordinary individuals, cast as prison guards, succumbed to the influence of power dynamics and situational pressures, exhibiting shocking levels of abuse, while the prisoners endured profound psychological distress.

The bubble is exploding due to injustice prevailing in society. Can we learn from international best practices? Address the root cause, cut through the red tape, and get to the heart of the matter? Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine.” Tackle the underlying issues and prioritize genuine solutions over superficial gestures.

Fairness is the compass guiding our path, but the state must lead with ethical integrity. Let's cease the theatrics and address legitimate concerns to ensure legitimacy. While the elite and powerful play their political games, the less fortunate bear the weight of burying their loved ones. It's high time we put substance over showmanship and focus on the real issues at hand.

– The writer holds a doctorate in politics and international relations and has served as a federal secretary and inspector-general of police.

He tweets @KaleemImam.