Command and supervisory officials Ensure that the policies and strategies of the police agency are based on respect for democratic government. Devise ways of identifying the specific needs of the local community and respond to those needs. Ensure that the composition of the police agency is representative of the entire community through fair and non-discriminatory recruitment and management policies and practices. Ensure that recruitment procedures and training programmes are designed to recruit and retain police officials willing and able to meet the demands of democratic policing under democratic government. Questions 1. Consider the differences between policing in a democratic society and policing in a non-democratic society. List five of these differences that you consider to be the most significant. 2. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right of everyone to participate in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives. In what ways does this political right enhance the protection of other civil and political rights? 3. What do you understand by the term “the rule of law”? Why is it important that all persons and all institutions of a State be subject to the rule of law? 4. When the rule of law does prevail within a State, how does this promote and protect human rights? 5. Consider ways in which the police may protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in a society. List five of these ways that you consider to be the most important. 6. Consider ways in which the police may protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression in a society. List five of these ways that you consider to be the most important. 7. Consider ways in which the police may protect the right to freedom of assembly and association in a society. List five of these ways that you consider to be the most important. 8. Consider the system in your country for making the police accountable to the public they serve through democratic political institutions. Is it satisfactory? If not, what are its shortcomings? How can it be improved? 9. While it is essential for the police to be accountable to the public through democratic political institutions, it is also essential for politicians to refrain from interfering with day-to-day policing operations. Why is it important for the police to retain this form of operational independence? Exercise Under the terms of the peace agreements, United Nations-supervised presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held nine months from the beginning of the UNSAME mission in Exland. Police officers are to be assigned to providing security at electoral polling places. Currently, the Government, like the national police, is dominated by Vallians. The elections, if free and fair, are expected to result in a more representative government, laying the foundations for national reconciliation in Exland. Tasks: ❖ Draft a mission statement (one paragraph) describing the role of the police in the elections. ❖ What are the benefits of having police officers at polling places? What are the potential negative factors? ❖ What should a police officer do, and not do, to avoid being seen as biased or partisan in the electoral context? 43