Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting on Sunday with commanders, directors and heads of politico-ideological departments of Police, described police forces as a “manifestation of sovereignty and security” of the Islamic Republic.
Among the most important responsibilities assigned to police is to ensure individual, social, moral, spiritual and psychological security in the society, said the Leader, adding, “Police authority holds the key to the establishment of security, but this [exercise of] authority should be coupled with justice, compassion and mercy.”
At the start of his speech, the supreme leader said the months of Rajab and Shaaban on the lunar calendar provide invaluable opportunities for more proximity to divine values and self-purification, making one prepared for the blessed fasting month of Ramadan. Ayatollah Khamenei urged all people to make the most of the blessings of these months.
Ayatollah Khamenei said establishment of security as the main mission assigned to the police indicates the significance of this institution, adding: “The establishment of security is not a propagandistic and verbal issue; rather, people should feel the existence of security.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said efforts by the police to establish security in any domain should know no bounds, be it security along roads, in cities, along borders and in various other areas, and added providing psychological security for the society is a very important matter.
“Dealing with psychological insecurity in the society such as families’ anxiety over the presence of their children in streets and parks lest they might get addicted to drugs, or anxiety over youths’ possible deviation to corruption and vice is much more important than tackling physical insecurity and such insecurity should be seriously dealt with,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said wealth-drunk youths’ plying the streets in luxury cars is another manifestation of psychological insecurity in the society, adding: “Police should plan to deal with different aspects of insecurity and confront them.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said firm action by police is a necessity for the establishment of security in the society, adding: “Police are the manifestation of sovereignty and security of the Islamic Republic. Therefore, they should be firm, but this firmness does not mean doing injustice and taking unrestrained action.”
The supreme leader said Iran is not seeking the Hollywood-style police power of the Western and US societies. “Such power will not only fail to establish security, but it will cause insecurity as well.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the US police’s treatment of African Americans is a manifestation of tyrannical power, adding: “In the US, whose president is a black at the moment, the black people are being oppressed, ignored and humiliated by the police. Such behavior has caused unrest as well.”
“The kind of power favored by an Islamic establishment is [the power] accompanied by justice, compassion and mercy, just like Almighty God who, while being compassionate and merciful, metes out painful punishment, too.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the rule of law is necessary and significant from two aspects – dealing with people and within the police organization. “Due to the extent of the relationship between police and people, the honesty of personnel is very important because a pious and strict staff member can save the Islamic Republic’s face in front of people’s eyes.”
The supreme leader stressed the need for strengthening beliefs and morality as well as reliance on science and scientific initiatives within the police force, urging officials in other sectors to cooperate with police.
Ayatollah Khamenei also extended gratitude to police for their efforts during the Persian New Year holidays.
Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech, state police chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari submitted a report about the activities and programs of police.
“Key actions taken by police include identifying more [instances of] crimes, continuing combat against drug traffickers, upgrading [their] readiness to control borders, decreasing by 7 percent the number of casualties caused by car accidents, expanding relations with the elite, making progress in science and technology and safeguarding revolutionary and Islamic values,” the Leader said.
The Leader said it would be impossible to take great steps without a religious and revolutionary organization and without the promotion of the Basiji way of thinking and industrious management and without rapport and empathy with people and all institutions, and added: “We will utilize our full potential honestly and sincerely in order to get closer to the position deserving the Islamic Republic’s police.”