From the cold walls of his prison cell, Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Talaam has delivered a heartfelt message that has caught the attention of many. His words are not just meant for fellow police officers, but also for anyone who might one day face the difficult decision of whether to obey or question a directive from above.
His warning is clear and powerful: never follow illegal orders blindly.Talaam spoke openly about how he ended up in jail. He explained that his current suffering came from a moment where he chose to carry out an illegal order without thinking about the consequences. He now regrets that decision deeply. “Had I just said, ‘No, sir I can’t do that,’ I wouldn’t be in this cold cell today,” he said with a voice full of sadness and regret.
He urged his fellow officers to stop and think before acting on any instruction. Talaam emphasized that every officer has a personal responsibility to ask whether an order is legal and ethical. If the answer is no, then that order should not be followed.
He reminded them that once trouble begins, the people who gave the orders often disappear, and the junior officers are left to face the punishment alone.
This message comes at a time when the public is paying closer attention to how police officers respond to protests and political tensions. In recent months, several junior officers have been charged in court for carrying out illegal orders, some involving excessive force or abuse of power.
These cases show clearly that there’s an urgent need for accountability within the police force. Officers must not act like machines that simply do what they’re told. They must think, question, and take personal responsibility.
Talaam’s experience reveals a serious problem within the police service one where questioning senior officers is often discouraged. But as his story shows, staying silent and obeying without thought can destroy lives. Legal experts have made it clear that saying
“I was just following orders” is not a defense in court, especially when the law has been broken or human rights have been violated.His message was not only directed at junior officers, but also at the seniors who give careless and harmful orders.
Talaam warned that such superiors often abandon their juniors when things go wrong, leaving them to suffer alone. He begged his fellow officers to use wisdom and always consult the law before taking any action.The story of OCS Talaam is a painful but important reminder that blindly obeying commands can lead to disaster.
For anyone in a position of responsibility, it is better to question, reflect, and walk away from wrongdoing than to face the heavy price of regret.
