The true measure of a police force lies not in its uniforms or numbers, but in the trust it earns from the people it serves. In a democracy, the primary responsibility of the police is to ensure public safety by preventing and responding to crime, protecting life and property, and maintaining peace in society. Equally important is impartial enforcement of the law. The police stand as the visible arm of justice, ensuring that laws are applied fairly and without bias. This impartiality is what separates a just democracy from a system of power and privilege.
In recent times, the Nagaland Police has demonstrated a commendable sense of duty and professionalism. Through swift arrests, preemptive measures, and improved intelligence and investigation, it has shown that effective policing is possible even with limited resources. Its openness and accessibility to the public and media have strengthened transparency and accountability, setting a positive example for other departments.
However, much remains to be done. The government must continue to invest in modernizing and equipping the force with advanced technology, training, and infrastructure. The ongoing recruitment for 1,176 constable (GD) posts will be a litmus test for the integrity of both the government and the police leadership. It will reveal whether transparency and meritocracy can prevail over the culture of favoritism and corruption that have plagued Nagaland’s public appointments for decades.
The normalization of corruption in Nagaland has become so widespread that many view jobs gained through the backdoor not as injustices but as blessings, as divine favor rather than a moral failure. That is why even the spouses and relatives of faith leaders hold government jobs obtained through the backdoor. This mindset must change. A transparent, merit-based recruitment process will not only restore public confidence but also strengthen the very foundation of justice. The police must represent integrity from the moment of entry to the moment of retirement.
Nagaland’s future peace and progress depend on a force that upholds both the law and the trust of the people. The coming months will reveal whether Nagaland Police, and the state it serves, can truly rise to that standard.