The Constitutional Mandate of the Police
The constitutional mandate of the police department under the Executive arm of Government is to maintain peace and stability. The order of maintaining peace is not only the responsibility of the Police, but it is a collective responsibility of the state under the police department in collaboration with the community under the pillar of community policing. The mission of community policing is to create a conducive working relationship between the Police and the community to foster law and order.
In contrary to the mission and vision of its mandate, the Ferguson Police Department adopted an approach aimed at instilling fear, intimidation and violation of the constitutional rights of the people. Though the Police Department works under strict instructions from the executive, in total disregard to its constitutional mandate, the end product of the guidelines created a hostile working environment between the Police and the members of the public. The African-American population profoundly affected by these orders hence were the primary victims of this brutality. Psychologically they were traumatized, disturbed and suffered irreparable damage, thus termed the law enforcement officers as enemies rather than people mandated under the constitution to protect lives and properties.
In a nutshell, the crimes against humanity in Ferguson Town is a classic indication of dictatorial leadership aimed at violating the rights of its subjects. The need for peace and reconciliation initiative is not just the only option on the table, but the starting point in mitigating and mending the broken relationship between the Police and the public and usher in need for reforms in the model of governance in Ferguson town.