By Ebrima Manneh
The number of innocent citizens killed by law enforcement agents that took an oath to defend them is on the rise, and has become a great concern for community leaders and law enforcement officials. This has signaled a breach of trust and strained relationships between the communities they serve and the law enforcement officials.
The recent incident in the Gambia resulting in the killing of an innocent young lady, Ya Binta Jarju at a military checkpoint adds to the reckless trend in the killing of innocent citizens in the country without due process. The killing of Ya Binta Jarju on international Women’s Day further stains the deteriorating human rights record of the country and adds to the dark chapter of this regime. She was shot because the driver of the commercial vehicle she was in allegedly refused to stop at the checkpoint. Even though it is important to consider the safety of those that defend the population, there was no imminent danger from the fleeing vehicle. A better and safer method of apprehension should have been applied rather than firing deadly shots resulting in the killing of a young lady, and prematurely terminating a promising life. The use of excessive force against civilian populations by security forces is mandating responsible governments, law enforcement agencies, and affected communities to partner up to ensure good policing to rebuild trust and relationships.
Theorists on community policing advocate good values, mutual respect and trust shared between law enforcement officials and members of the community as important elements in achieving good relationships. Success of the relationship is based on agreed upon core values by all stakeholders. The core values must address the preservation of human life, which law enforcement officials must regard as a precious resource. It is through the understanding and embrace of this belief system that utmost restraint and discipline will be exercised to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives through the use of excessive force.
A harmonious society benefits all members, and an understanding of this concept should encourage law enforcement officials to seek a cordial relationship with the communities they serve. This mutual cooperation that will lead to the adoption of best practices that will serve the best interest of the nation. Law enforcement agencies are initiating programs that will enhance transparency and accountability to improve professionalism and ethical behavior. Responsible governments and agencies take immediate and appropriate action when there is loss of lives of innocent citizens. Their actions are not motivated by public outcry, but by honesty and integrity. Accountability by law enforcement officials indicates a responsive and respect for the lives of the citizens they serve. To enhance efficiency in the executing of their duties, law enforcement officials are placing emphasis on ethical and sensitivity training to better prepare officials to deal with community issues. Law enforcement agencies are revamping their existing conditions and developing core values that are geared towards the safety of citizens.
We envision a Gambia in which the community and law enforcement agencies develop a cordial relationship based on mutual interest in the policing of the nation. Society invests in the development of law enforcement officials and entrust them with their lives, and should therefore hold them accountable. Responsible societies demand accountability and ensure that security forces do not operate in secrecy and isolation from the community. To win the trust and confidence of the communities they serve, they must operate with honesty and high level of integrity. The community must also take an active role in the policing of the nation to ensure there is equal rights and justice for all. There must be equal protection under the law and the need for all citizens to abide by the law and that includes law enforcement officials. Law enforcement agencies must adopt core values that will provide moral and performance guidelines for members of an organization. Core values also address consequences for reckless behavior or professional misconduct.
The Gambian religious, community leaders and intelletuals who should serve as standard bearers and provide moral guidance are accepting falsehood and misconstruing the truth. They have failed to speak up or intervene against injustice, and instead sing praises of dictatorship, further rendering psychological assistance to brutality. Their dishonesty to the nation and its future leaders is cementing dictatorship, leaving them with a nation of depleted resources with a long road to recovery. You are also sending a wrong message that the denial of civil and human rights can be ignored, and is not worth fighting for. You should set the right examples and teach our youths to be God-fearing. A strong faith base teaches patience and perseverance, helps one to endure difficult moments, and protects against mystification. We must work together and rebuild our societies to believe in their God-given potentials and be self reliant. Let us resort to the old proverb that advocates teaching a poor man how to fish than giving him a fish every day. Dictatorship has created a nation of beggars and praise singers, and injected low self esteem within the populace. Parents have an important responsibility of helping children discover and develop talents. Failure to do so exposes them to lives of dependence and could be easily tempted into unrighteous behavior. Parents and society therefore bear a sacred responsibility to the Children in molding them into noble citizens. Let us refocus on educating our youths to develop strong moral principles that address generosity and a culture of responsiveness to the suffering of other people. Young people too bear a huge responsibility of safeguarding their future and not leave it to irresponsible leaders. During the civil rights and anti-apartheid movements, the youths did not let the aggression and intimidation stop them from demanding and fighting for justice. They understood what was at stake and were willing to drive on. The youths in the Gambia must use sound judgement and join forces with those who fight for them, and not with those that are destroying their future.
We must emulate the great societies that united and protected each other against oppression. They did not turn a blind eye to individual sufferings, but shared their pain and were willing to render unconditional and unwavering support to end their suffering. Overcoming an obstacle is not an easy endeavor. It requires faith, patience, and an unwavering committment to the cause. The successes of the civil rights and the anti-apartheid movements are clear indications of how people from all classes of society came together to demand justice for all and end the inhumane acts their societies were experiencing. They understood their individual contributions put together can make a difference and bring about change without assuming leadership roles. Prominent members of the civil rights movement like John Lewis and Ella Baker are not quite popular as Martin Luther King, but they played significant roles in the fight for equal rights and justice. They were not interested in individual accolades but exercised humility in carrying out their roles, which was significant in the achievement of the desired outcome.
Let us police each other, police our communities and regain our lost liberties. Let us end the complacency, the fear, and the psychological assistance to tyranny. Our people deserve better. The old regime did not give monetary hand-outs, but gave us freedom which is worth cherishing. To whom much is given, much is required. This should incite selflessness and a sense of responsibility to speak up and do whatever it takes to end the brutality in the Gambia and other parts of Africa. We must ask ourselves how much is too much and what will it take for all of us to rise up as a unified force against dictatorship? May God return peace to our motherland and bless us with a leader that embraces democratic principles and is God-fearing. Such a leader will show empathy, respect diversity and will serve the people sincerely.