Police officers likely to get more violent in future

**In democratic societies, police officers are part of law enforcement.** [Standard]

Every time I meet a policeman, I get rattled. I am shaken by his uniform, unnerved by his gun and flustered by shoes polished to a spit shine.

Even his demeanour comes across as menacing, disconcerting, and disturbing. I am not a criminal; neither do I harbour recidivist tendencies. But past encounters with the “boys in blue” have left me much worse for wear, so that it seems I am classically conditioned to expect the worst from our police service.

In democratic societies, police officers are part of law enforcement. They maintain public order and safety. Their responsibilities include enforcing laws, preventing crimes, responding to emergencies and providing support services. They are also entrusted with various licensing and regulatory activities. The police represent the civil authority of government.

Authority is exercised through power, which the MacMillan English Dictionary defines as “the ability to influence or control what people do or think.” There are two categories of power wielded over citizens by the police service; Dunamis power and Exousia Power.

Dunamis power refers to strength or ability. From it, the English words dynamite, dynamo and dynamic are derived. Dunamis is all about physical might. For example, a simple pick-up truck has power to carry, at most, half a tonne of sand. A lorry, on the other hand, may carry up to 10 tonnes of sand. The difference is in ability or Dunamis.

Exousia refers to delegated power. It is derived from legislation. It is not physical but has physical effects. An example is when a diminutive traffic policeman stops a 20 tonne juggernaut with a simple lift of the hand. He may not have physical power (Dunamis) but the authority conferred to him by the State enables him to bring order on the roads.

Heightened respect

The determination of whether to use Dunamis or Exousia is situational. When dealing with armed criminals who won’t surrender, Dunamis is used to disarm them. Many times, it is used to control rioting crowds or to bring calm to restive areas. But Dunamis is a tool of last resort.

It only comes into play when Exousia has failed, usually, where citizens no longer respect authority. Ordinarily, the influence of Exousia is so strong that the generally accepted police-to-citizen ratio is 1:450, meaning, only one police officer is needed to control 450 people or 225 police officers for every 100,000 people. In places where there is heightened respect for authority, the figures change with amazing results.

A story is told of how a government official wanted to address residents of a remote village in Zambia. A single policeman was dispatched to gather the villagers. Because of Exousia, 10,000 villagers followed the policeman to a venue 10km away, this without scuffle or civil disorder.

Innocent youth

In Kenya, there has been an insidious erosion of Exousia over the years so that it no longer seems to hold sway over citizens. Last week’s incident, where a police officer was allegedly assaulted by a taxi operator, is just one of several. There appears to be a correlation between the infringement of citizen rights and liberties and the breakdown of law and order.

In a nation where a minor traffic infraction that should attract no more than a let-off with a mild warning, motorists are routinely hauled to courts and charged with egregious violations. Stories abound of innocent youth arrested and charged with being “drunk and disorderly” or “loitering with immoral purposes.” The charges are seldom true and are alleged to be foisted on those who cannot afford a bribe to secure their freedom.

Then again, Exousia is eroded when law and order is applied selectively. Whilst demonstrations are a sacrosanct constitutional right, police acquiescence is required for the safety of demonstrators and by-standers. However, it is given only to those perceived to be politically correct or to those from society’s highest echelons.

Recently, Governors and Senators demonstrated in the streets to compel Parliament to pass a bill on how much money should be disbursed to counties. They were accorded police security.

On the same day, protesting digital-hailing taxi drivers were violently dispersed by the police. Demonstrating against poor pay, they were barred from accessing the city centre.

At a time when the police motto “Utumishi kwa Wote” (service for all), is considered a nugatory and pointless observation, it could be that law enforcement will become increasingly confrontational and violent in the days to come.

Having spawned a culture of fear to the detriment of respect, Dunamis will be the default in the exercise of authority. Should that happen, be afraid, very afraid!

Mr Khafafa is Vice Chairman, Kenya-Turkey Business Council