Protect and serve, through the lens of faith

In last Sunday’s homily to armed forces packed into St Peter’s Square to mark the Jubilee of Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel, Pope Francis emphasised three key actions: to see, to go aboard, and to sit down.

These principles echo powerfully in this Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 6:17, 20-26) —which some refer to as the Sermon on the Plain. Its relevance to contemporary law enforcement challenges, including the imbroglio surrounding now suspended Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, is evident.

Luke’s account presents Jesus descending to level ground to deliver His message, placing Himself among the people rather than above them. This imagery of leadership through presence and solidarity resonates with Pope Francis’ challenge to security forces to “board the storm-tossed boat” of societal challenges.

The Pope’s warning against “the illusion of power and the roar of arms” speaks directly to the heart of police work and accountability. He could very well have suggested that all police officers wear their body cams.

The Beatitudes in Luke’s Gospel particularly resonate in the context of law enforcement leadership. “Blessed are you who are poor” takes on new meaning when considering the responsibility of police leaders to serve communities regardless of their socioeconomic status.

The corresponding “but alas for you who are rich” serves as a stark reminder about the corrupting potential not of finances but of power and privilege.

The suspension of Commissioner Harewood-Christopher in a way brings these biblical principles into sharp focus. The situation, utterly confusing and embarrassing as it is, exemplifies the complex challenges facing police leadership in modern democracies, where the demands of professional duty intersect with public accountability and ethical governance.

The Pope’s emphasis in his homily on being “vigilant against the temptation to cultivate a warlike spirit” speaks to the delicate balance leaders in all walks of life must maintain between authority and service.

In his Vatican address, Pope Francis stressed that security personnel must remain “alert to threats to the common good” while avoiding being “poisoned by propaganda that instils hatred.”

This guidance is particularly relevant to all those involved in protecting our nation, in particular the police service which faces the dual challenge of maintaining public safety while navigating institutional and, we dare say, political pressures.

Luke’s emphasis on “hungry now” versus “who have your fill now” can be interpreted as a commentary on the temporary nature of power and the importance of ethical stewardship in public office.

The Pope’s call for security forces to be “courageous witnesses” rather than mere wielders of authority aligns with this biblical perspective.

Looking forward, the Pope’s vision of security forces as “artisans of a new era of peace, justice and fraternity” offers a framework for reimagining police leadership.

This vision, combined with Luke’s teachings, suggests that effective law enforcement leadership must balance authority with humility, power with service, and discipline with compassion.

As citizens look on from the outside into the public internal crisis of the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service, settled for the time being with the appointment of Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin, the convergence of Luke’s teachings and Pope Francis’ recent guidance offers valuable insights.

As we continue praying for all our protective services during this State of Emergency, the path forward requires a clear commitment to transparency, accountability, and service-oriented leadership that places the common good above personal or institutional interests.