We Say

Greetings from CHRI!

There is a tendency never to go beyond the problem and evil face of the police.

The police is one of the most visible service and yet is also the most inconspicous in terms of transparency, knowledge and awareness that the public has of them. Viewed as incompetent, biased, ghettoised and brutal, the isolation of the police in the Commonwealth as in other parts of the world is manifold.

The 'Commonwealth PoliceWatch' has through its previous editions reflected on the functioning of the police forces operating across the Commonwealth. Subjects such as police reforms, accountability mechanisms, incidents of brutality and torture, positive attributes such as community policing and reformed structures have been highlighted.

Continuing with the trend, of providing the police a medium to project themselves, the third edition of the E-magazine highlights some of these initiatives. The response that we receive deeply encourages us. Please do keep your comments, contributions and criticisms coming in.

Maja Daruwala
Director, CHRI

Feature Politics Determines Policing: Pakistan Case Study Laudably, Pakistan is the only South Asian Commonwealth country to have amended its colonial Police Act in 2002. The other countries have archaic laws from 1860s except Maldives, which has the dubious distinction of being the only Commonwealth country that has no law governing the police. Unlike the colonial laws, which were enacted make the police "a more efficient instrument for the prevention and detection of crime", the Pakistan Police Order 2002 seeks to establish a police organisation that functions according to the "Constitution, law and democratic aspirations of the people". ...more

Singapore Police Gallantry Medal Awarded: To police officers for an act of courage in a dangerous situation. Singapore Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Awarded: For 12 years' service in the Police.

THE POLISHED FORCE (The Second Annual Report made by Lord Trenchard recommended the raising of the educational level of the Metropolitan Police). Source: Punch, May 10, 1933

Women in Focus Maltese Policewomen in line of fire... Legend narrates that the Maltese female has long been the object of derision ever since St. Paul was shipwrecked on the Maltese islands. It is believed that he removed the venom from the poisonous snakes in Malta and cast it away into women's tongues. The legend has stood its ground with instances of women being largely discriminated against in the Maltese society, particularly in its police force. The year 1995 introduced the recruitment of Women Police Constables into the Malta Police. The police statute defines a Maltese Policewoman as "a sworn female member of a police department with full police powers." Even though the statute gives the women full policing powers, they continue to carry out servile roles as that of 'personal assistants, secretaries, typists, cleaners and cooks.' Out of a population of 200 policewomen, 133 perform office work at the General Head Quarters whereas 67 are posted in districts and are assigned to routine office work. ...more