National security concerns

THE EDITOR: Recently, I beheld the ugly side of our police force I have so often heard about but never witnessed before. This experience forcefully brought home to me the significance and relevance of national security as articulated by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, deceased American five-star general Douglas MacArthur, current US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and current UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Their statements, briefly paraphrased, follow.

Buhari: Responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in a country ensures that government’s trust with the people never allows others to abuse their responsibility.

MacArthur: Security in a nation is not only about threats from without, but also about insidious forces working from within.

Pompeo: We must protect the very things that make our country special. These include the civility of our security agencies and the wisdom, empathy, and compassion of our judiciary. But we cannot do this without strong, thoughtful, and informed discourse in the society.

May: Although national security is the first duty of government, it must be pursued by avoiding any substantial erosion of our civil liberties.

All of the above emphasise that regardless of how elaborate and sound our crime plans may be, a national security system without professionalism, integrity, empathy and emotional intelligence can be a cancer to our nation. Clearly, the only strategy to address this perceived problem lies in admirable oversight at governmental, police, and judiciary administrative and supervisory levels.

RAYMOND S HACKETT
, Curepe