
Sunday with Eden | Apr 29,2023
Apr 8 , 2023
By Eden Sahle
In the Ayat area, a married couple recently experienced a distressing break-in, losing several valuable household items. Their ordeal was exacerbated when they sought help from the local police, only to be met with apathy and an insidious demand for an investigation fee.
It was only after the intervention of a high-ranking government official, whom they knew personally, that the police committed to pursuing their case actively. This incident sheds light on a deeply ingrained problem: law enforcement's preferential treatment of victims based on connections to those in power.
Such incidents are not isolated, as evidenced by my similarly frustrating experience after my family's house was robbed. We were asked for an informal investigation fee. When we refused to pay, investigators dropped the case, and the prime suspect was released without consequence.
These stories highlight the erosion of integrity and trust in law enforcement, with negative consequences for both victims of crime and society at large.
Crime rates in the city continue to rise, and the modus operandi of criminals grows increasingly sophisticated. Yet, it appears that for some members of law enforcement agencies, the urgency of addressing these crimes is contingent upon the victim's connections to influential figures. This selective approach to justice only further victimises those who have already suffered the indignity of crimes such as sexual assault, burglary, and violence.
When law enforcement fails to act, it undermines public trust and prompts citizens to take matters into their own hands. This vigilante approach can lead to a vicious cycle of violence, as individuals resort to acquiring weapons to protect their homes and properties from intruders. To restore faith in law enforcement, comprehensive reform is needed to emphasise integrity, impartiality, and dedication to the public interest.
To successfully implement these reforms, police stations must become places where victims' grievances are genuinely heard and acted upon, without expecting a financial gain. Law enforcement agencies must proactively identify and address systemic issues such as underfunding and corruption, contributing to the current culture of inaction and favouritism.
The community police, a law enforcement sector that has maintained its integrity, can serve as a model for this reform.
Community policing demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that offenders are held accountable and that victims receive justice, regardless of their social standing or connections. Other agencies should emulate their tactics, strategies, and responsiveness to crime to rebuild public trust in law enforcement.
Authorities must recognize that their primary duty is to serve and protect the public, irrespective of personal connections or affiliations. This includes addressing crime and fostering a sense of safety and security among citizens. By adopting a more egalitarian approach to justice and prioritizing the well-being of all members of society, law enforcement can begin to rebuild the trust that has been so severely damaged.
PUBLISHED ON
Apr 08,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1197]
Sunday with Eden | Apr 29,2023
Fortune News | Sep 03,2022
Fortune News | Sep 14,2024
Radar | Sep 14,2019
Sunday with Eden | Jul 15,2023
Fortune News | Jul 10,2020
Life Matters | Apr 26,2025
Radar | Aug 22,2020
Radar | Oct 05,2019
Fortune News | Aug 07,2021
My Opinion | 131103 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 127445 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 125428 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 123078 Views | Aug 07,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Jun 21 , 2025
A well-worn adage says, “Budget is not destiny, but it is direction.” Examining t...
Jun 14 , 2025
Yet again, the Horn of Africa is bracing for trouble. A region already frayed by wars...
Jun 7 , 2025
Few promises shine brighter in Addis Abeba than the pledge of a roof for every family...
May 31 , 2025
It is seldom flattering to be bracketed with North Korea and Myanmar. Ironically, Eth...
Jun 21 , 2025
In a landmark move to promote gender equity in the banking industry, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has released its inaugural Gender F...
Jun 21 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Officials of the Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure have tabled a draft regulation they believe will...
Jun 21 , 2025 . By AMANUEL BEKELE
A sudden ban on the importation of semi-knockdown and completely knockdown kits for gasoline-powered vehi...
Jun 21 , 2025 . By RUTH BERHANU
Mufariat Kamil, minister of Labour & Skills (MoLS), is rewriting the rules on overseas work, hoping t...