We Say

Greetings from CHRI!

For most people in the Commonwealth the police are, quite simply, The Law. As gatekeepers of the justice system they are expected to be all things to all people. With security the new buzzword in times of heightened consciousness of terrorism and crime, the police are more than ever looked up to protect persons and property. They must not only uphold and enforce the law and be of service to the population at large but are also expected to be efficient, impartial, clean, beyond suspicion, approachable and altogether a dependable public resource.

Yet, all too often people fear the police. The police in turn feel ill judged by the way people perceive them. Mutual suspicion keeps both the parties defensive and isolated from each other. A great deal of fear and loathing stems from either side because of lack of communication and knowledge. People know little of the organisation, role and functions of the police and the challenges they face in their every day work. The police in turn know little about the expectations of policing in an increasingly democratic environment, or the changing philosophy of policing in a technologically advancing and globalised world. Isolated as they are, the police rarely have a moment to examine and absorb the workings of their counterparts and to know of best practices, innovations and initiatives that are evolving across the world. CHRI's E-magazine COMMONWEALTH POLICE WATCH has been conceptualised to fill this need.

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Feature Corruption Inspector-General wins Queen's Award Dwarfed behind a huge mahogany desk stacked with files and papers, a senior policeman is dictating instructions to his assistant. Picture this and you are thinking of a typical bureaucrat getting through his day at office. However, there is nothing typical about Mr. K Radhakrishnan, Inspector-General Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Tamil Nadu, India. ...more

Women in Focus New Beginnings in Women Power Police in Kenya are beginning to respond to high rates of crime against women even as they struggle to bring down violent crimes and improve performance. Recently released police statistics showed a steep rise in rapes, especially in the capital Nairobi where reported rapes cases jumped from 13 in September 2004 to 57 - a four-fold increase - in the very next month. ...more

HONESTY THE BEST POLIC(E)Y Colonel H_nd_rs_n. "What are you doing there, Sir?" Diogknes (Mr. Bull). "Well, you see, Colonel, till now it seems we've set a thief to catch a thief. I'm looking for an honest man!!" Colone H. "All right! only, when you've found him, you'll have to pay for him!" Diogknes. "And cheap at the money!"

Sri Lanka Police Vishishta Seva Padakkama An award for Meritorious Performance of Police duties. Janadhipathi Police WeerathaPadakkama Presidential award for brave performance of duty, Sri Lanka Police.