We live in a society of laws and rules that govern our conduct with each other. To give these rules and regulations effect we employ enforcers. They go by the name of “The Police”. In other words, we are policed by our consent.
Since this is the case, why is it that many people refuse to show respect and cooperation in the presence of the police. In fact, there is that lunatic fringe that actually wait until they encounter the police to act up. What on earth is wrong with those people?
Some examples of what I mean follows: While driving along a stretch of highway that mandated a speed limit of 80 km/h I observed up ahead a patrol car of The Guardia Civil. They were moving at about the speed limit. It was therefore amazing to see one car after another passing the officers at more than 100 km/h.
The officers appeared to take no notice. Why they didn’t is beyond me, but that’s not the point. Police officers represent the Crown and have a sworn duty to uphold the law, therefore, it seems to me, and I suspect every other law-abiding citizen to show them, and the Crown dutiful respect.
At times, officers have the experience of pulling over a motorist for some infraction only to have the individual show utter contempt for who the officer is and the job that he has entrusted the officer to do. Should such a person find himself in certain other circumstances, he would likely be the one to call for help from a policeman the loudest.
In my home country of Bermuda, for many years I was a member of The Police Advisory Board, a body of civilians who form the liaison between the police and the public. In our role, one of the things we did was we examined police methodology in the light of current times. Specifically, we often looked at whether methods were too heavy- handed, or not strict enough, and what equipment, plant and facilities were needed for the police to do their job effectively.
I was also one member of The Permanent Police Tribunal that was concerned with dealing with matters of pay and conditions of service where agreement was not obtainable between the Police Union and the Government.
As a result I became well versed in the workings of the police service, and I also got to know many of the officers themselves. Indeed, my eldest daughter served a period as a constable with distinction.
The most successful officer will be known as one who serves without fear or favour. He or she will be someone who is reliable and who holds himself/herself accountable to the law. Such an officer requires the support of the people whom he serves and protects, and can only function properly if he or she has our respect.
It is inevitable that there will be the oddball cop who is a bad apple. Certainly, the job does attract many people who are control freaks. Unfortunately this is not necessarily seen as a bad thing, so this trait often leads to the police getting a bad name for brutality.
The other side of that is the member of the public who is his own worst enemy. If he is apprehended in the act of committing a crime, or for suspicion of doing so, he then goes on to violently resist arrest.
Questions arise such as should the police be trusted absolutely? Do the police themselves ever commit acts outside the law that are criminal, while in uniform? Are there any cases whereby the police stitch up an innocent person, who they know to be innocent, just to be able to close a file as solved?
To the first question, I believe that because the police are human beings, they can, and do make mistakes. Therefore, the checks and balances that are in place need to be continually reviewed and updated, and the officers’ work must constantly be checked for quality. Internal Affairs is the department that polices the police. The members of that team are, unfortunately uniformly despised by the regular police in any force that employs it.
Individual members of the force surely do, from time to time get carried away with their sense of power and do take actions outside the law. When they do so, they simply become criminals in uniform and a disgrace to the force. Lastly, we would be very naïve to think that persons are not put in the frame if they have done nothing wrong. I am absolutely convinced that it does happen. I wish it were not so.
Anecdotal experience with respect to the justice system enforcement in Spain is mixed. I can only say that whatever branch of the service I have ever had any dealings with, I found them to be completely professional. They do have a tough job to do, and that job is made all the more difficult by the many nationalities that reside in Spain. It is certainly better to be on the correct side of the law.
So, as foreigners who have come to reside here in Spain, is there anything that we should do ahead of time just in case we have an unpleasant encounter with the law?
We would be well advised to register with a legal office, especially if English is spoken. We are allowed one telephone call once in custody. Now is the time to make those preparations. We simply do not know what the future will bring.
I must now close this topic as I have to go and make my arrangements with an abogado. In the meantime perhaps you might have the answer to the eternal question: Why do policemen have lockers for their personal effects that are actually lockable?
Please don’t overtake on two-way road systems. Save your life for those who love you!
Copyright (c) 2007 Eugene Carmichael
