BARBED-WIRE FENCE

By Dr. Abasher Elhaj
Things are not changed unless the existing reality changes. To change something, build a new matrix that negligences the existing template. The passage to entire mutation encounters a parlous terrain, sailing against drifting currents, and morning red skies; therefore, a professional land surveyor, gob, and craftsman is required to lead a safe journey. For the time being, Resistance Staff across Sudan is to somewhat behaving as such, but the brick and mortar of genuine policing is the last resort to guard the civil transformation.
As ethical behavior is derived from the values, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge that steer each individual, Dec. 2018 Revolution deserves a policing profession that is expected to protect civilians and prevent crimes by being fair and impartial. To be honest, this profession has lost its professionalism during the regime of Islamist by ideologizing its creed. Apparently at those times, police were recruited to create disorder rather than to preserve disorder as if they were appointed from the criminal classes. Personally, I have witnessed a police officer booting citizens during the funeral of el-Sayed Ahmed Elmargani. Actually, such an act, if continues, erodes public confidence in law enforcement.
The police cannot be completely independent of the civil executive government as they do not belong to war zones. They must be rehabilitated from top to bottom so as to cope with the bright face of the new eon. Authority has to set up a newfangled code of conduct that founds principles and highlights the responsibility of this profession to behave in a manner most likely to win the trust and support of Sudanese people, and it sets out standards of behavior masses expect to see from police. I am concerned with standards that are associated with the duties of police to put off in favor of citizens.
We really merit honest police acting with integrity, and not abusing their position, such as taking personal advantage. It is shameful to have a dishonest police officer. For example, the words said by a chief constable during the assassination of the martyr Ustaz Ahmed Elkhair that he died because of poisoned pottage resist amnesia when the water of forgetfulness comes upon our image into police memory; these words might remind police how recreant they were.
The sacrifices done in the streets, at least, fall due police work with self-control and tolerance and respect the right of all individuals; they must perform roles and responsibility in an efficient, diligent and professional manner. They used to use abusive, oppressive, bullying, and offensive language. We are looking forward to hearing more polite and courteous medium of communication with the public instead of this picaresque style.
A lot of people in the media complain from police indifference and bad treatment they receive at public service centers. There, still, dwell a number of social diseases and total mess entailed from the dethroned rule, such as discrimination, favorism, bribe, and the like. Is it unattainable to enliven the sense of compassion and empathy among police during policing praix?! Or just they are trained to use force and disperse processions?
Police profession is a hell of problems. It is a good deal like politics. It demands the highest type of candidates, and there is nothing in it to attract the highest type of men. That is why this revolution is badly in need of reliable and enthusiastic youth who put their lives on the line for the country every single day to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law, and take actions against the conduct of colleagues when fall below the standards of professional behavior. This good model reinforces public confidence in law.
Generally speaking, hard skills are not enough for hiring; soft skills are elevated over hard ones. Projecting this on police status in Sudan, it is noticed that most of the police individuals are lacking both academic qualifications and communication etiquette rules, and they are rather philistine coming from slums, they might be victims of wars, poverty, and the like. That is why they feel pejorative. For me, I think our police are excellent, probably because I have not done anything that has occasioned being beaten up by these good men.
Breaches of code of conduct will always require disciplinary procedures. The affiliates who deviate from the standards and their behavior does not meet the expectation, their policing career must end-up. However; minor deviation may be dealt with through peer.
In sum, we appreciate the need for change, but too much of it at once is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. The ministry of interior has to make a show of respecting the good old way of doing things, and make change feel like a smooth improvement on the past.
hajabasher@gmail.com