Full Text of the Supreme Leader's Statements in Meeting with Police Commanders and Personnel

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

At the outset, I extend my congratulations to all of you honorable attendees and hardworking commanders of the police force on the occasion of the commemoration and introduction of the police force, and I sincerely thank you for your efforts and hard work.

Everywhere, the police force serves as a common link among the people in the streets, homes, workplaces, roads, deserts, and borders—wherever people are—and between the governing apparatus of the country. In fact, the police force is the embodiment that people everywhere observe in the government officials and public servants. Therefore, all the characteristics present in the police force inevitably align in the minds of the people with the characteristics of the governing apparatus of the country.

If we say that the police force must be a symbol of dignity, authority, and mercy—and we emphasize this—it is, in fact, a way of demonstrating the dignity, authority, and mercy of the country's management. To whom? Not to a specific class, not to certain people from among the populace or in a particular region of the country; rather, to all. Why? Because the police force is everywhere. Here, I add the characteristic of trustworthiness regarding the honor, property, life, and privacy of the people, as well as their homes and workplaces. Observing trust is one of the most fundamental and important tasks.

The efforts of the police force are precisely what gives value to this force; the people see and feel it. The person who peacefully spends the night in their home or leaves their workplace in a remote area and sleeps soundly at home trusts you. The person who gets into a car alone and embarks on a long road that they must travel for hours trusts you; because you are present; because you have shouldered the burden of this great service; because you shield them from the dangers that threaten them. Thus, they feel at ease; this is a great honor.

The greatest social characteristic and need of a society is security. If there is no security, many of the blessings of society will vanish. The police force provides security in a vast portion of the social and individual lives of the people. You must consider this a blessing from God. Anyone who serves in this force and in this uniform must feel that this service is a divine blessing and grace; they must appreciate it. Appreciating it means genuinely dedicating oneself to it.

I tell you: We have in the police force and in many sectors, a human resource that is faithful, efficient, capable, vigilant, and possesses a significant amount of scientific equipment. In the police force, there are faithful individuals who truly face tests that few can pass completely; however, we know and are aware that there are elements in this force who, due to their spirit of trust, emerge victorious from these difficult tests. This is very important. If the police force, relying on these faithful individuals and on the system that nurtures faithful individuals, seeks to achieve the lofty goals that this force has—God willing, it can achieve those goals—then all efforts and endeavors must focus on this matter; that is, you must view your work as a service and your legal authority as a means of drawing closer to God.

Corruption among individuals begins when they regard the authority and power in their hands as a personal tool rather than as a means to fulfill a divine duty. This is the point of decline and deviation. Everywhere, noble individuals are those who consider everything they possess as belonging to God and a divine duty, and they generously expend it in the path of divine duty—wherever it is appropriate to do so. There is no greater honor for our armed forces—including the police force—than to demonstrate that they are prepared to use what they have in the way of God.

Be careful not to lose sight of the straight path and the known and correct way—which is the path of duty and the path of law. When a person is faced with the people, the work becomes delicate. Both fulfilling duty and demonstrating the authority of the law, preventing any transgression and violation of the law, showing firmness in fulfilling duty, and demonstrating mercy; see how close these borders are and how delicate the line is that passes through all these signs and indicators. Every success that has been achieved in this system and for this people is due to observing these characteristics. On one hand, observing duty and the law; on the other hand, love for the people, for those whom one encounters; strictness in cases of violation; while at the same time showing love and forgiveness in cases where forgiveness is warranted; disregarding oneself, one’s feelings, and one’s dignity in the face of duty; using legal tools and personal authority as a means of drawing closer to God. See; when all these things come together, divine grace, help, and support are guaranteed. God Almighty has, during this time, supported and advanced this nation and our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified)—who was truly the embodiment of all these characteristics—through these very characteristics.

Everywhere we observe transgression in the world and see corruption and deviation from the path of humanity, it is because these borders have been blurred; they speak words, but do not act according to those words; they make claims, but openly behave contrary to those claims; their claims of human rights and the clamor of their human rights discourse deafens everyone; yet, before everyone's eyes, Israeli planes come and bomb the defenseless people of Lebanon, terrifying countless innocent individuals, injuring them, or killing them, while the eyes of the global observers remain indifferent! Empty words without action; false claims! Thus, from the perspective of those who today closely monitor global issues—even non-Muslims—the future for the material systems of the world is not bright; the future for those who do not move in the path of God is dark and ambiguous: human conflicts, geographical conflicts, the spread of poverty and deprivation throughout the world, the plight of those who have hoarded the world's wealth for themselves, the destruction and ruin of various generations that are now entering the arena; the youth and the children. This is precisely the opposite of the horizons of the Islamic Ummah and nations that adhere to spirituality; those who observe the path of God and divine regulations and true human ethics. This is why our nation has been able to stand against this immense enmity. The enmities directed at our nation are truly unparalleled; yet despite all this, this nation has been able to continue its path and make progress. Of course, there are many problems ahead of us; however, the existence of problems never prevents a serious and faithful path from continuing its movement and does not stop a nation. Despite all these problems, God willing, this nation will advance.

My strong recommendation to you, the officials of the police force, the members of the police force, the hardworking and dedicated servants—often unknown—of this force, who, although you are in front of everyone, your services and efforts and sufferings are overlooked—is that you consider your work as a service and a means of drawing closer to God and work for God. Reduce your weaknesses as much as you can; do not let personal feelings and desires interfere in the workplace; train yourself and those who work in your area to be disciplined, precise, and diligent in their work. This diligence, this discipline, and this strictness towards oneself will be able to elevate the reputation of the police force to the highest level; it will make the people more familiar with your efforts and problems than before; and it will also be a means of being honored before God Almighty.

In the collective of the country's servants, you are an active member, and it is appropriate that you bring the methods of work, behavior, and quality of action closer to the desired point as much as you can. Make it so that when the name of the police force is mentioned, people feel both security and peace, and also recognize a manifestation of duty and dignity before them. This is the point that is truly a source of salvation and success for the police force. We hope that God Almighty grants you all success and that you can carry out this important and sensitive duty as desired by God Almighty and our sensitive obligation in this era, and that day by day, the condition of the police force approaches its true perfection, and God willing, your behavior will be accepted by God and will please the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.