A peaceful protest was being carried out by a group of milk traders. The superintendent of Police instructs the Police Officials to prevent the group from committing any type of violence, He, however tells them to teach them a lesson’, if situation warrants. A Police Official on duty indulges into an argument with a protestor and beats him up. When inquired about his action, he says that he was told to teach them a lesson by the Superintendent of Police. Give your comment on rethical behaviour of both the Superintendent of Police and the Police Official in the light of above mentioned incident. (125 Words) [UPPSC 2021]
Ethical Analysis of the Superintendent of Police and Police Official
**1. Superintendent of Police’s Ethical Behavior
The instruction by the Superintendent of Police to “teach them a lesson” was ethically inappropriate and ambiguous. This directive, while aimed at maintaining order, was not clear and could be interpreted as an endorsement of excessive force. Ethical leadership requires clear, lawful, and non-violent instructions to manage public protests, ensuring that actions are within legal boundaries and uphold human rights.
**2. Police Official’s Ethical Behavior
The Police Official’s decision to physically assault a protestor based on the ambiguous instruction reflects poor judgment and a lack of ethical responsibility. Law enforcement officers are expected to exercise restraint and adhere to lawful conduct, even under ambiguous directives. Violence against protestors is unjustifiable and undermines the rule of law and public trust in the police.
**3. Recent Example
In 2023, during a farmers’ protest in Haryana, vague orders led to excessive force being used by the police, resulting in public outcry and legal scrutiny. This incident highlights the need for clear and ethical instructions to avoid misuse of power.
Conclusion:
Both the Superintendent of Police and the Police Official demonstrated ethical lapses. Clear, lawful, and non-violent instructions are essential for maintaining public order and ensuring ethical conduct in law enforcement.
In the described incident, both the Superintendent of Police and the Police Official exhibit unprofessional and unethical behavior.
Superintendent of Police: The Superintendent’s instruction to “teach them a lesson” is ethically problematic. Law enforcement officers are expected to uphold and enforce the law impartially and without bias. Encouraging any form of punitive action beyond legal procedures compromises the integrity of the police force and can lead to misuse of authority. This directive undermines the principles of justice and may incite violence, contradicting the purpose of maintaining order during a peaceful protest.
Police Official: The Police Official’s actions reflect a clear breach of professional conduct. Resorting to physical violence against a protestor is unacceptable, particularly when the directive was ambiguous and not aligned with lawful enforcement practices. Such behavior not only violates human rights but also erodes public trust in law enforcement. The official should have adhered strictly to the legal framework for handling protests and maintained decorum in all interactions.