Should we use our Brains for Self-Policing?

While critics and analysts [informed, ill-informed or half asleep] are constantly questioning the incorrect functioning of our police and blaming our havaldars for not controlling crime, my question really is, why do we need so much policing? I mean, really! Can't we just behave ourselves? 

Do we need to loot, rape, murder, cheat or attack each other? Is it not in our power to control our anger or in our good conscience to tolerate racial and religious diversity? Must we constantly feel threatened by others, even within our own family?

Now, I’m not defending our policewallahs, even though every now and then I spot a hot havaldar [just in from the gaon, right before he starts to lose his physique to cutting and vada pav]. Let the cops chase after ISO certifications for their chowkis and implement world class policies and practices. Let them sweat it out, no doubt.

In fact, citizen activists and government funds that are constructively improving police behaviour, thank you. But for the rest of us who are constantly confused or criticizing the role of police in our lives, I suggest you visit a police station. I did.

I had misplaced my wallet somewhere between the store and my riksha. Damn! Credit cards to cancel, clubs cards to replace; so I went to register an FIR. The cops were complete gentleman and noted down my complaint but the chowki was a mess.

Idiots hanging around, complaining about stupid fights in their slum, women crying at the sorry state of their lives, and so-called VIPs’ middlemen expecting super preferential treatment. If the cops don’t care about us, it’s partly because we parade our lack of brains and morals in front of them at every opportunity.  

We’re trigger ready to offer a bribe or lie and cover up our mistakes. If we want revenge taken on an ex-friend, an ex-partner or ex-colleague, we use cops in these manoeuvres. And most importantly, if the police station is going to be busy listing and solving the dumbest of crimes then how will they take preventive measures against the real shockers without throttling the lifestyle of the young and restless.

Obviously the same law or same policy cannot please everyone. Neither can the same police action as there are always two sides and both sides want police protection. Ministers and working glass girls using the local train want escorts at the same time. Wives want their husband arrested for violence and the husband wants the wife arrested for adultery.  

Who should the cop listen to? To their conscience and their training. Recently, I landed up at a police chowki when a neighbour-couple of mine was harassing me. The cops registered my complaint and did a hell of a job counselling that neighbour [no FIR as I did not have proof/evidence of past crazy behaviour].

At the end, I felt so stupid that an educated world travelled girl like me could not sort out my problems with my even more educated doctor neighbours. Again, the cops were perfect gentleman. Much better behaved than me or my neighbours.