IN democratic societies, police leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, and upholding the principles of justice, fairness and equality.
In other words, a leadership that serves every citizen and resident without prejudice or discrimination.
Professional police leaders must possess the knowledge and attributes to navigate the complexity of policing in a diverse society.
They face multiple challenges. One is the increasing complexity of criminal activities.
They must keep abreast of new trends and emerging threats. They must continuously update knowledge and skills to respond to these challenges and protect the people and communities they serve.
Moreover, balancing the preservation of public safety and the protection of individual rights and civil liberties must be a top priority.
Police leaders must be able to weigh legal and ethical concerns in making decisions that may infringe on individual rights.
They must ensure that their actions are proportionate, lawful and respectful of the principles of democratic societies.
Police misconduct will erode public trust, leading to animosity and strained relationships with the people they are sworn to serve.
It is the responsibility of the police leadership to foster transparency, accountability and sensitivity to strengthen public trust and respect.
They must actively engage with members of society, listen to their concerns, and address grievances promptly and impartially.
The outcome of investigations into grievances must be made public or told at least to the complainant. Otherwise, it will be deemed to have been swept under the carpet.
The police must continue to prioritise the role of the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department. It must be given sufficient resources to implement its activities.
The cost may be high. But it is outweighed by greater awareness of crime prevention in society.
Relying solely on reactive law enforcement strategies creates a negative public perception. So partnerships must be fostered with stakeholders in society.
The newly appointed inspector-general of police and deputy inspector-general of police must recognise the importance of diversity and inclusivity in policing.
They must actively promote and support recruitment and retention practices that will ensure the force reflects the nation's diversity. This will enhance cultural understanding, reduce biases and increase societal legitimacy.
* The writer is a criminologist at the Centre for Policy Research and International Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia
