Protecting humans and homeland

Staying awake every night, at every nook and corner of the country, while others are in deep sleep, is not an easy responsibility. It is a mission that is not possible for everyone, for sure. That is why, although it is their profession and source of livelihood, they sacrifice their time and effort. They are always on standby in all kinds of weather, day and night, hot or cold, rain or sun, safeguarding both men and the nation.

In fact, they are peacekeepers, striving to ensure that citizens, residents and visitors alike enjoy a peaceful life here. Very often, we see them standing by the roads or at roundabouts, controlling traffic and enduring the scorching heat of summer and the biting cold of winter for long hours. Every day, we observe them in the morning and afternoon as we commute to work and back home.

Probably, most of us pay no attention to their presence, which makes our journey smooth and hassle-free. We simply drive past them, sometimes even blaming them for blocking the way to let other motorists pass. To them, it is a way of ensuring fairness by giving every driver the right to go, while we may see it as a delay! A warm and sincere salute to all Royal Oman Police (ROP) personnel as we celebrate their annual day. January 5 is a day of honour and pride for all of us, our dear policemen and policewomen, the heroes of the country.

Can you imagine what your day would be like if you don’t see a police car on the roads? I’m not overstating it to say that our day would be abnormal. You’d feel that something important is missing in our life that day. Nobody can deny the fact that whenever there is a police officer around, a sense of safety and stability prevails. Along with all other military and armed forces, the ROP is accorded special public respect.

Certainly, we all recall the old days of our childhood when teachers and parents would ask: “What would you like to be in the future?” The very common answer from most children was, "I want to be a policeman." This answer was uttered straightforwardly by every child. Children regarded policemen as role models and felt proud of the idea of becoming one someday. Being a policeman was the most desired profession for many.

“I want to be a policeman when I finish school to help catch thieves,” was the honest justification many children gave for their wish. To be a policeman was and still is the most desirable profession among kids. They eagerly long to join the ROP someday. Lucky you, dear police officers, to receive such admiration and respect.

I know that some of you might not have the best relationship with ROP personnel due to some unpleasant experiences. Perhaps you had trouble with an officer, received a traffic ticket for speeding or for not fastening your seatbelt while commuting, or got caught by a speed control radar and received a frustrating fine when renewing your car registration. These are just to name a few examples of why some people might feel annoyed with the police.

Regardless of these unpleasant experiences, police officers are simply doing their job, carrying out their necessary daily duties. Some of these tasks and responsibilities may not be liked by everyone, but rules are rules. Rules are meant to be followed and enforced; otherwise, there would be no point in having legislative authorities.

If truth be told, police officers are men and women on a mission. They sacrifice their lives and strive tirelessly to maintain security, safety and stability around the clock. They deserve our thanks and appreciation. In every aspect of their duties, whether it is rescuing missions, firefighting operations, traffic management, immigration, or other demanding responsibilities, police personnel have demonstrated remarkable competence and excellence as true heroes.