CORRESPONDENCE. THE POLICE FORCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 53, 3 November 1913, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE POLICE FORCE.

[To Thk Editor Stratford Post.]

—ln Auckland a short time ag-

I had a conversation with a mem he

of the police force who has risen to a high position, and I asked him mam questions concerning the di-mpTne ann conduct of the members of the form

in general. He stated that it hat been his unvarying experience that where coercive disciplinary rules or unreasonable orders had been enforc-

ed collectively or individually, tin results were detrimental to the high est efficiency. On the other hand

he had found, except in a few instance* that where freedom, confidence, and trust had been extended the men had set a high standard and brought credit on themselves and the officers in

charge. For some considerable time tin members of the police force of the Dominion have been seeking permis-

sion to form an organisation for the purpose of protecting the interests peculiar to themselves, and it appears regrettable that the Ministei in charge considers it his duty tc refuse the right to bring this organisation into legal existence. However, the formation and power of such an organisation does not consist in obtaining Ministerial permission and registration, but rather in the united consensus of opinion among those desiring the organisation, and to my mind this union or organisation is already a reality ensouled with power and moving forward with an irresis-

tihie force. Xo dogmatic pronouncement of a timid Minister who sees foreboding danger can stay its onward march. Apparently the Minister’s chief objection is one of discipline, but 1 think history and experience is against him. In handling a body of men whose duty is to protect .society, discipline becomes endangered immediately men are bluntly refused a right they have learned to believe they are morally entitled to. Secret dissatisfaction. which is the outgrowth of a belief that a wrong has been done, will eat into the heart of discipline and make an ungovernable rabble out of what was previously a highly efficient organised body of officers. When one turns to thp history of the Imperial army and navy, y one finds a steady amelioration in the conditions under which the rank and tile of our defenders serve, and j.ust in proportion as the authorities have brought reform into line with the reasonable ideas of the men, have the honor, self-respect .discipline of those concerned improved.. It ; ,nj not a far cry to, the time when in.tjie name of discipline it was thought necessary to ipflict flogging and shooting for such offences as common assault and disobedience of orders, but these inhuman cruelties have

jeon removed and it ; is ; t|’ne tjuft iviih their removal the crimes, lor \\ inch they were nsed .as ( a puni^li-1 rrient and deterrent, have j.practirr.'ly . disappeared. When it was proposed ;o remove these inlinman methods from the disciplinary rules of the army and navy Imperial Ministers vehemently pleaded that such a reform would srlvo a license to crime, and convert the rank and file of tlje defenders Into an ungovernable rabble, but the reform was carried and those competent to speak know the results of the change. This historic move from barbarity was the fruit of a long and sad pleading of the rank and file and goes to prove that where men of training and intelligence are united in a desire for the privilege to exercise certain rights it is much wiser in the interests of discipline, law and order for the authorities to extend that privilege than to wit-hold it. Example after example might be cited in justification of the fair and reasonable request of the police force, but it is unnecessary to set forth in profusion, unassailable evidence in support of the men’s claims.' The Minister, in his mistaken zeal, fears that if he consents to the formation of a union the men might make unreasonable demands, and decline duty at a time when the Department found itself confronted with conditions similar to the Waihi strike. This mistrust and want of confidence indicates a suspicion that must militate. against the relationship one would wish to feel existed between the men and the Minister controlling the Department. Time will prove that the Minister’s fears are without foundation, and when he has been translated from office to his rightful place as a private, peaceful citizen, a police union, strong, useful, and impregnated with loyal, healthy, settled rules of action, will he one of the boasts of the people of these young, vet lovelv islands.—l am. etc., ' THOMAS BOYLE. November 1, BBT