For many years, various people have been expressing sympathy and concern for policemen’s appalling conditions, decrying poor pay, ramshackle accommodation and lack of working gears despite their dangerous undertaking of protecting the people and their property.

All of us are aware of the many types of danger facing our law enforcers in their career, including when they are forced to come face to face with heavily armed criminals. We are witness to various incidents of deaths involving policemen in the course of carrying out their duties.

It is for this reason that we totally support those who call on the government to urgently address the difficult situation in which our policemen are.

We all know that the police are being overworked but at the same time they are underpaid, something that complicates their plight even further.

The government must ensure that it fulfills its various promises made to our law enforcers, including payment of hardship allowances as part of motivation.  Most policemen are demoralized because some of the promises given by the government are never honoured.

It’s therefore logical for the government to ensure that our law enforcers, who are undoubtedly doing a wonderful job, should have their pay packages improved. At the same time, plans for life insurance for policemen should commence immediately for we believe that is possible.

Research has shown that unconscionably low wages often propel policemen to solicit or accept bribe from offenders, a situation we can only close our eyes to at our own peril. As a result of this, for a long time, our policemen have been associated with evils. 

The only way out of this situation is to ensure that the law enforcers -- especially the low-ranking officers-- are well taken care of.

We believe if the police force will get the necessary empowerment in terms of proper training, equipment and beefy pay they will perform their duties more diligently and courageously.

It is our hope that the government will continue to ensure the police are well equipped and well facilitated to execute their duties.

The police still require specialised trainings in the criminal investigation department and administration. The special police force equally needs to be better trained and equipped in the face of new challenges facing our country.
At the same time, the public in general must show support to members of the police force.