The National Police are as afraid of using their weapons as they are of fire.
People shot dead. Patrol officers fleeing the scene. A brief update on that crew. Shame on them. I expect my wife and unborn child to be protected by people in uniform, to whom the state has given weapons, authority and the right to use force. An investigation. Just punishment. Full stop.
But why did this happen?
This is what happens when the police are pushed to the limit.
We – that is, the state and society – have spent years turning the police into doormats. The sort who will quietly listen while their mothers are being sworn at, and put up with being beaten and having their uniforms torn off by hooligans and women right on the street.
I recently heard a young NPU officer say: “Why shoot at an attacker? Better that he shoots at me...”
I listened to him and recalled 2015, my first day on contract with the National Guard. My company commander told me something simple back then: if a situation arises where force must be used – swallow your pride and run, because the prosecution will drag us through the courts for months.
In the National Police, they fear using weapons like they fear fire. And it’s not just weapons – they’re even afraid to use a pepper spray canister, because they’ll be dragged through the courts and offices, even if they acted lawfully.
And now add to that the attitude of society. Standing ovations from the ‘wise people’ when they are being killed or humiliated.
After all this, do we expect them all to lay down their lives selflessly to protect this nation? We’re the ones putting them on the spot.
The brain drain in the police force is terrible. The motivated ones are leaving. For those who remain, the motivation to serve is falling every day due to the increasing workload caused by staff shortages and the growing hostility from society.
As a result, we want to see a young, intelligent, motivated, physically strong tiger in the police force, one whom criminals will fear, but at the same time we refuse to feed him, chain him up and allow every passer-by to throw stones at him. And if he growls in response, his master – that is, the state – will give him a lash.
And when we need it, we want this tiger to have the courage to bare its fangs!
But it doesn’t work that way. This tiger becomes a frightened kitten, afraid of passers-by and unsure where the next blow will come from.
That is how negative selection works. And it has been going on for far more than just a few years.
All texts in the ‘Position’ section are published in full from their original sources. The editorial team may not share the authors’ views and accepts no responsibility for their statements.
All articles in the "Opinion" section are published in full from their original sources. The editorial team may not share the authors’ views and accepts no responsibility for their statements.
