Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Police Commanders and Personnel

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

Dear brothers, welcome. We hope that Almighty God will encompass all of you with His grace and mercy in this world and the hereafter. The composition is appropriate; both the police force, responsible for the security of people's lives and property across the country, and the social security organization, which is responsible for providing security to the weak and needy classes.

Let us say a word about this organization, and that is that the Islamic Republic system is fundamentally in agreement with social security as it is practiced in the world today; it is not among those systems that philosophically and fundamentally oppose social welfare activities in society. We believe that the officials of the country and the government of the Islamic Republic must specially assist the classes in need of help, which is carried out in the social security organization through various social insurances and welfare activities. Therefore, this work aligns with the foundation and philosophy of the Islamic system, and the more effort is made, the more initiative is taken, the more the coverage is expanded correctly, and the type of assistance encourages families to make appropriate efforts and does not create stagnation in society but rather generates movement, the more it will align with the goals of the Islamic Republic system. The government must also, God willing, help so that the groups covered by social security, such as retirees, each receive special attention and care. Retirees are the active force of the country from not long ago who have worked hard, many of them have spent their nights and days, their lives and youth in work, and the country must respond to this continuous effort and labor throughout their lives. Also, know that the current situation of retirees will always serve as a model in front of the eyes of current government employees. The better the situation of retirees in the country, the more encouraged current government employees will be to work, knowing that when they reach that stage, their situation will be good. If, God forbid, retirees are neglected, disrespected, and ignored, and they face problems, this will be the mirror of tomorrow for today's employees. They will look and see that this is their future; they will become disheartened with work and turn to jobs inappropriate to their profession. Therefore, the government apparatus must fundamentally address the issue of retirees, especially those covered by social security and government organizations, insurance, and welfare.

The issue of the police force is, of course, a fundamental and important issue. If we want to summarize the necessities of human life into major chapters, and for example, reach two, three, or at most four chapters, one of these chapters is the chapter of 'security.' Without security, neither food is enjoyable, nor does family create intimacy, nor does job and income provide benefit. Without security, there is nothing. Security, like air for humans, is continuously necessary. If society lacks security, it becomes suffocating; like a collection that lacks air. This is the importance of security. Security belongs to everyone. The security of Tehran is no more obligatory than the security of the border residents in the south, east, and west of the country. The security of affluent individuals who have wealth and resources is no more obligatory than the security of that worker whose eyes are on the daily wage. Therefore, security belongs to everyone; the police force also belongs to everyone.

A point was mentioned by the honorable commander of the police force, which is a correct point, and that is that the foundation of the police force during the non-popular and tyrannical regime was to maintain the security of special classes, and whatever happened to the rest of the people did not matter! I lived in exile in the border areas of the country during the previous regime and saw how the situation was there. There, security was entrusted to the strongmen and tribute collectors of the region. Security meant the security of the local lords, nobles, and capitalists, and others had no right to it. Therefore, if in various regions of this country, especially in remote areas, an influential person beat, killed, imprisoned, deprived his servants, workers, and subordinates of life and existence, and deprived them and their families of security, there was no objection, and no one would say why you did this! Even if they complained to the police station, the complainant would be condemned! That is, security was the security of special classes, not public security.

Assume that in large cities like Tehran and some other cities, the police monitored markets, alleys, and streets everywhere; but in reality, this huge apparatus that was designed for the country's security at that time had that goal. Within the police force of that day, there were not few faithful, sincere, devoted, and hardworking elements - we knew them closely; there were many good people - but the leaders did not want security for the public.

In the Islamic system, the issue is not like this. Security is the security of the general public. In all aspects of life, security is a necessity for humans. During worship, during construction, during trade, and in any activity that a person wants to do, they need security. This is where the importance of the police force becomes clear. You, brothers of the police force, whatever you increase in terms of power and the strong hand that can pursue elements disrupting security in the country, and also in terms of ethics, honor, nobility, trustworthiness, and purity, it is not excessive. The police force of the Islamic system, as these gentlemen sang in their anthem that 'we are the refuge of broken hearts,' must truly be like this. The police force must be the refuge of fearful and frightened hearts and lives that feel threatened by a person or a group. The presence of the police force must create a sense of security in the people. This is the status of the police force in the Islamic Republic system.

Despite all the work done in the police force and, thanks be to God, many qualitative efforts and good activities have been made - especially recently, it is felt that a serious and real movement for the internal construction of the force, which is the spiritual and human construction, has begun, and within the force, elements that are occasionally delinquent are truly dealt with, which is approved by us and must be, and this movement must continue with seriousness - nevertheless, we still emphasize: My dear ones! As much as you can, emphasize the purification of the internal atmosphere of the police force. As much as you can, consider the internal violations of the police force significant. People appreciate your work. Now, do not look at the fact that occasionally a newspaper or a writer, with various goals that some journalists may have, makes a fuss over a small issue and questions the dignity of the police force for baseless reasons. When people see that they can work, earn, study, their children can travel from this village to that village across the country and study, and construction works are carried out in remote parts of the country with the volume that exists today, they feel that there is security. If the tent of security is not pitched over the country, how can all this work and effort be done? So, the police force is present, observing, and active. People understand and appreciate this. However, do not be satisfied. If you feel that in a corner of the country there is a responsible person in the police force who is not performing their duty, go after them and follow up on their work. If you see negligence, definitely pursue this negligence - whether it is a fault or a mistake. If, God forbid, you see a violation or betrayal from someone, do not overlook it. One of the places where there should be no leniency is here. If, God forbid, someone in an apparatus that people look to with hope to stand against violators and threats to people's peace and security feels a violation and, God forbid, there is an intrusion into people's security from within there, this is a very big sin. It should not be overlooked, so that the police force becomes what the Islamic system needs; that is, powerful, dignified, dear, compassionate, merciful, and present in all areas. In confronting someone who threatens people's lives and security, be tough, brave, and persistent; in confronting someone who is threatened, be compassionate, kind, and gentle, like a father and brother. If this happens, the country will be in a comfortable bed of security, and everyone can perform their tasks and duties. Then, the spiritual reward of every effort will return to you, and you will also share and participate. The divine reward should not be overlooked. These worldly matters are part of the issue. 'And what is with God is better and more lasting' is important. Know that every night, every hour, and every moment that you endure hardship, keep watch, engage in effort, and labor, the noble scribes write it down, it is recorded in your file, and at the time when you need it most, the same righteous deed will be present and visible to you and will come to your aid.

A good outcome belongs to those who move in this way. The country is at a stage where it needs these sincere efforts; especially a large part of the people who stand with utmost nobility and want to act and work according to Islamic laws and the Islamic Republic system and do not intend to violate. The violators must be dealt with; everyone must deal with them. Part of it is related to the police force, and part is related to the judiciary. In confronting violators, there should be no negligence or leniency, so that those who suffer from that violation become hopeful. When we say that the apparatus - whether the judiciary, the legislative apparatus, or the police and others - must deal with those who play with public wealth and have no limit for seizing impure and illegitimate income, it is for this reason. There are those who strive and are truly trying to create a new privileged class in the Islamic Republic system. Due to selections, appointments, cunning, and being in charge of wealth centers, and through illegitimate means that they have cleverly learned, they seize public wealth and create a new class - the class of privileged and affluent without pain. The Islamic system dealt harshly with the affluent without pain and the opposing and disruptive; now, from within the belly of the Islamic system, a new class of affluent without pain emerges! Is this possible?! By God's grace, the sincere of the revolution and Islam will not allow such major deviations to occur. When we say that the class benefiting from illicit money must be confronted, immediately some become worried that the security of investment in the Islamic Republic is endangered! No; the security of investment and the security of economic effort is not endangered, this helps those investments. The judiciary, the legislative apparatus, and various apparatuses of the country deal with violators, not with non-violators. Why should someone who is not a violator be afraid? Let the violator who is afraid be afraid and feel insecure. In the Islamic system, a sinner must feel insecure. Any system where the innocent fear that they may be attacked and major sinners feel comfort and peace, that system is a deviant system. We should not let our system become like this. In the Islamic system, the violator, sinner, and transgressor - whoever they are - must feel worried and know that the hand of justice will sooner or later grab them. The hand of justice must be strong. The judiciary must be strong. The police force, within the framework that the law has determined for it, must be strong. Strength and power and the iron hand are bad with weak people; a rough hand is harmful when picking a petal; but necessary when moving rocks. Let those who are violators feel insecure. What are you afraid of? They say we have no law. I say to the Islamic Consultative Assembly: Honorable representatives! If the judiciary and the police force lack laws to deal with windfall wealth, provide them with laws as soon as possible. I suspect that in some cases there is a lack of law; because it has happened and we have seen.

The Islamic system is a system of justice. You who are desirous and eager for the emergence of the sun of Mahdism in the end times, and now for about twelve hundred years the Islamic nation and the Shia have been waiting for the appearance of the promised Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance and make us his ransom), what characteristic do you mention for that great one? 'The one through whom God will fill the earth with equity and justice.' You do not say 'God will fill the earth with religion.' This is a very important point. Why do we not pay attention to this point? Although equity and justice belong to religion, for a thousand years the Islamic nation has been praying for equity and justice. This Islamic system has come into existence; its first task is to implement equity and justice. Equity and justice are the most obligatory tasks. We want welfare also for equity and justice. Various tasks - struggle, war, construction, development - are for equity and justice; so that justice is established in society, everyone can benefit from the goods of society, and some are not deprived and oppressed. In an environment of equity and justice, people can grow, reach high human positions, and achieve their human perfection. Equity and justice are a necessary prelude to the ultimate perfection of humans. How can this issue be ignored? The world is truly a world that is indifferent to equity and justice. In this regard, we must say that as a government, we are very alone in the world. Look at these slogans they give in the world! The foundation of the world's governments is not based on justice and the observance of human rights and the observance of the weak and deprived. Look at what crimes the Zionist regime is committing against Muslims today; what it is doing against Islam and Islamic sanctities! Look at how America - the great Satanic regime of America is responsible for these issues - supports them! An important incident occurs, the conscience of the Islamic world is stirred, the dearest sanctities of Islam are insulted, cries rise from around the Islamic world; but the Americans express two words of regret! Amazing! Dry and worthless expressions of regret in the face of such a great Islamic movement! Scholars of the Islamic lands, intellectuals, and masses of people are stirred by this insult of the Zionists - I am not concerned with the nature of the issues; the movement of the Islamic world is an important event - then they only express regret in the face of this great people's movement; instead of reconsidering their behavior and support for the oppressive, bloodthirsty, and law-breaking Zionists! Is this not indifference to humanity and human values and the desire of a vast human collection?! They claim to support humanity too! Today, the slogan of social justice is a strange and oppressed slogan in the world. This flag is also in your hands; just as today the flag of defending spiritual values is in the hands of the Iranian nation. Of course, among the nations, you have many supporters; especially among Islamic nations, many hearts beat for these slogans and this general movement of the Iranian nation; but governments and states have a different ruling.

The slogan of social justice is the same. Attention to the issue of social justice in the country should not diminish for a moment. Of course, this issue is not a slogan issue, it is not solved by saying; all apparatuses must strive. These very tasks that are being carried out in the country today are all necessary and must be done; however, their direction must be towards ensuring social justice. From executive officials, to judicial officials, to legislators, to clerics, to speakers, to journalists, to intellectuals, and others, all must consider this their duty. If the orientation of social justice in the country weakens, any work done in the country will be to the detriment of the weak classes and the general public and to the benefit of a few clever, strong, and resourceful people and law-breaking law-knowers who know the ways of the law and also know law-breaking. A collection of these tasks is the responsibility of everyone; a part of it, which is significant, is the responsibility of you dear police force. Follow the path of reform and qualitative expansion and also, as necessary, quantitative expansion with seriousness and power; just as, thanks be to God, it has been felt for some time that there is a real movement in the police force. Continue this movement with strength and power; God will also help you. Of course, budget and support officials must also understand the importance of this issue and cooperate and help as much as the country's capacity allows.

God willing, you will be included in the pure prayers of His Holiness the Remaining Proof (may our souls be his ransom), and the pure spirit of our great Imam will pray for you in that world, and certainly, these prayers will have an effect. God willing, the blessings of the pure spirits of the martyrs will reach you day by day.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings