Arts , Humanities & Social Science

Abstract

Police service and its concomitant community relations is cardinal in ensuring public tranquility. Systematic measures and actions have been embarked upon by societies, institutions and national governments, over the years, to regulate social relations and ensure safety of its members as well as conformity to societal norms and values. Policing agents thus work in difficult and often dangerous conditions.  Many serve far from home, intermittently deprived of family warmth while others are shot and killed in the line of duty. To many people, however, the institution has failed in its prima facie task of providing public security and as such, are viewed as peace predators and epitomes of unfettered corruption and abuse. This article contends that police service is quintessential to societal peace and a better assessment of police service should consider the ethics that orient the service.  With the advantage of selected secondary sources and primary historical information in the main, the common notions about police service in society and the basic ethical principles and strategies that oriented the service of the West Cameroon Police (WCP) and relations with the public between 1961 and 1972 have been analysed to provide a platform for evaluating police work.