Sudanese Police in Post War time: the Balance between Firmness and Humanity

By Police Brig (Ret.) Omar Mohamed Osman
When the Sudanese police recaptured the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters and the Police Headquarters, it was not just a security victory; it was a restoration of spirit, of identity, and of hope for a safer future. After months of chaos, police force will return to the heart of the capital, bringing with them aspirations for the people for security as a tangible reality, not just a deferred dream. However, this return does not simply mean resuming activities as before; rather, we will be required, all of us, police and society, to revisit the relationship between security and the people, between firmness and humanity.
The police in any society have always been a mirror of the state; they are not merely an executive force, but the shield and support of society. As the former British Police Commissioner, Barnet, put it:
“Not every use of police violence against criminals is inhumane. There are situations that call for deterrent violence, and in its implementation, the highest levels of humanity are manifested.”
In a country just coming out from a violent conflict, we cannot ignore this fact. A country without a strong and just police force will be unable to protect its people, but a force that loses its moral compass becomes a threat rather than a protector. Therefore, the balance between firmness and justice is not a luxury; it is what creates a police force capable of performing its role effectively, one that earns the respect and trust of the people.
Force alone cannot create a successful police, just as excessive leniency does not build a security institution capable of enforcing the law. As Lieutenant General Police Dr. Abbas Abu Shama, former Minister of Interior, said:
“One of the global standards for measuring police performance is not only in fulfilling its traditional professional duty, but also in expanding human relations with citizens. This brings them closer to each other, this is because police derives their legitimacy from citizen satisfaction with their work, not just from laws and regulations.”
Rebuilding trust between the police and society begins here: from a shared understanding that the police are not separate from the people, but rather an integral part of the people, mirroring their hopes, fears, and aspirations. A strong police force is not one that frightens people, but one that makes them feel safe and secure.
Perhaps the question posed by Dr. Basma Abdel Aziz, in her book, The Temptation of Absolute Power, summarizes the essence of the challenge we face:
“How can we preserve the vital role played by the police in securing society, preventing crimes, and hunting perpetrators, while also ridding community of the violence attributed to it, a violence that exceeds necessity and need?”
This is not an impossible equation; it is the principle upon which the best police institutions around the world are based. The balance between force and humanity is not a compromise; it is the key to success in any transitional phase. For this model to be achieved, it is necessary to provide a supportive work environment for police officers, one that guarantees their professional and livelihood rights, and provides them with the necessary training to understand the nature of their work in a society rising from the rubble.
What we need today is a police force that makes citizens feel that police is on their side, not above them. A police force that protects them, not intimidates them. A police force that understands that legitimacy comes not only from legal texts, but also from the trust of the people. The police force is not just an institution; it is an idea by which citizens live, one that either provides them with peace of mind or makes them feel alien in their own homeland.
The challenge before us is great, but it is not impossible. Today, the Sudanese police have a historic opportunity to rebuild their relationship with society, to be what their people want them to be: a watchful eye guarding security, and a trustworthy hand extending support, amalgamating firmness and humanity, to rebuild trust and create a more secure and stable future.

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