Are We Losing the Human Face of Policing?

 Are We Losing the Human Face of Policing?

John Aguiar

Recent incidents of police action against students, protesters, and ordinary citizens have once again raised an uncomfortable question: Are some sections of our police force becoming insensitive and inhuman?

One incident that continues to disturb the conscience of the nation occurred in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, in December 2021. A video showed a police officer repeatedly striking a government hospital employee with a lathi while the man desperately held his young daughter in his arms. The child cried uncontrollably as her father pleaded that she would be injured. Equally distressing were attempts by policemen to snatch the child away while the father cried that the little girl had no mother. The video triggered nationwide outrage, and the concerned police officer was suspended.

More recently, videos circulating on social media have shown police using lathis fitted with nails against students during protests. In another incident, a father was reportedly detained in front of his wife and daughter, leaving his family traumatised. While every incident has its own circumstances and should be assessed on verified facts, such visuals inevitably raise serious concerns about the manner in which force is being used.

The police perform one of the most challenging duties in society. They work long hours, face violent situations, manage public unrest, investigate crimes, and often risk their own lives to protect others. The overwhelming majority of police personnel serve with dedication, courage, and integrity. Their sacrifices deserve recognition and respect.

However, the authority to enforce the law carries with it an equally important responsibility—to exercise restraint, compassion, and professionalism. The police are empowered to use force only when it is lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Excessive or indiscriminate force not only harms individuals but also weakens public confidence in the institution.

Children should never become victims of police action. A child witnessing a parent being beaten or arrested can carry emotional scars for years. Such scenes damage not only families but also the image of law enforcement in the eyes of future generations.

Similarly, students are the future of the nation. While unlawful acts or violence during protests cannot be condoned, crowd-control methods must respect human dignity and comply with established procedures. Any allegation that dangerous or modified lathis have been used deserves a thorough and impartial investigation.

The objective of policing is not merely to maintain law and order but also to safeguard the constitutional rights and dignity of every citizen. A police force that is firm yet humane commands far greater respect than one perceived as relying on fear.

Training in conflict de-escalation, crowd management, communication, stress management, and human rights should remain a continuous priority. Officers who demonstrate exemplary restraint and compassion should be recognised, while those found guilty of excessive use of force must be held accountable through fair and transparent disciplinary processes.

Public trust is the strongest weapon of any police force. Every unnecessary act of brutality erodes that trust, while every act of kindness strengthens it.

India needs a police force that is efficient, courageous, and compassionate—a force that enforces the law without losing its humanity. Justice and humanity are not opposing ideals; they are the twin pillars of democratic policing. When compassion accompanies authority, the police truly become protectors of the people rather than merely enforcers of the law.