A report published in the New Straits Times yesterday, “Edisi Siasat accuses police top management of promoting officers under investigation, citing strong cable connections”, has drawn tremendous attention and concern regarding the extent and impact of cronyism in the police force.

To quantify the extent that cronyism is prevalent and practised in  the police force  is a tedious task unless complainants and whistleblowers are guaranteed protection and are encouraged to come forward. 

However, to deny that cronyism is not prevalent, especially in this age of information technology and at the speed of information being disseminated,  causes more harm than good.

Cronyism in the promotion and posting  of police officers to selected departments can have a significant impact on a democratic society.

It obviously undermines trust in the police and may lead to corruption, impunity and an erosion of the rule of law.

When promotions and postings are given based on personal connections rather than merit, it can demoralise dedicated and diligent police officers and create a dispiriting work environment.

Furthermore, reduced morale can lead to lower job satisfaction and a lack of trust between police officers, which can ultimately undermine public safety.

Moreover, cronyism can lead to an unbalanced distribution of power and responsibility within the various police departments, which can weaken oversight and accountability in law enforcement. 

Police officers who are promoted based on their connections may be more loyal to their benefactors than to the force  or the public they serve.

Unfortunately, cronyism in promotions can exacerbate existing problems within the various departments, including prejudice and discrimination. Police officers who are promoted based on their connections rather than their qualifications may lack the skills and experience to work effectively and productively.

Thus, it creates unwarranted tensions between police and citizens. More importantly, it must be acknowledged that cronyism has a significant impact on the quality and legitimacy of the police force. 

It can undermine public trust, lead to corruption and a lack of accountability, and exacerbate existing problems within law enforcement.

It is, therefore, important for democratic societies to ensure that promotions of police officers are based on merit, not personal connections.  The police commission on misconduct has a massive task to address and must do so without fear or favour.

This article first appeared on NST.