CAIRO - The Ministry of the Interior this week held the graduation ceremony for the Police Academy this month, instead of July. The aim is to help grapple with the security crisis caused by the resignation of hundreds of police officers after the January 25 revolution, in the midst of the chaos that has hit the country. Meanwhile, some middle-ranking police officers ought to be promoted to replace senior officers who were sacked because of suspected corruption or for torturing and murdering civilians before and during the revolution. These new police commanders should implement the Ministry of Interior's new strategy of enforcing security while respecting people's dignity and rights. The Government could also boost the security forces by training graduates from faculties like law and physical education for three to six months at the Police Academy, so they can then be responsible for securing public and private utilities and companies, organising traffic and guarding courts and tourist sites. Restoring security is vital at this critical stage, not only to lure foreign visitors and investments back to the country, but also for securing the political reforms to be launched by parliamentary elections in September. These elections will be a major challenge for the Security Agency, not only because many people are expected to vote, but because of the emergence of new political powers, such as the well-organised Muslim Brotherhood, who want to make their presence felt after being banned for so long by Mubarak. Things should get back to normal soon, as the Government and the ruling Military Council have given the Security Agency the green light to get tough on the thugs and violators who are wreaking havoc in society.
