The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1905. THE POLICE FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7865, 6 July 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1905. THE POLICE FORCE.

Certain events have lately brought into prominence the question of the efficiency of the colony's guardians of the peace, and the recent conference at Wellington of inspectors of the various police districts has given rise to some speculation as to the mailers discussed thereat. Although the lesult of that conference has not been made public the Southern Standard declares that it has obtained from an unquestionable source information as to some of the decisions arrived at, and though this seems inexplicable there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of this statement. The chief reform said to have been suggested at the conference was in the direction of centralising the control of the force in the hands of foul chief supei intendents, whose salaries would be increased out of ilie saving effected by the abolition of the existing sub-tlislricis. Presumably this means that the present four chief centres in the colony would be the headquarters of the chief superintendents, and that the sub-inspectors who are now doing such useful work would be relegated to inferior positions at a lower rate of pay. There maybe, and doubtless is, an advantage in a system of centralisation, but unless tha; system is backed up by a proper chain of reliable connecting links serious delay will occm in the administration of justice. II there is one organisation more than another which demands quickness o. action from day to day, and af every |»eriod of a day, it is the police. Questions are constantly arising which necessitate instantaneous action, and if, as is the ease now, the necessary authority to put the law in motion in certain cases lias to be obtained from an officer at a distance, how much greater will be the difficulty when the number of responsible officers has been decreased, and the distance of the area over which the communication has to travel has been enlarged. To the general public it would seem that if any progressive reform is lo be promulgated it should rather be in the direction of multiplying the centres where chief officers were stationed. To obtain a thoroughly efficient police force, not only must the greatest care be exercised iu the selection of the uieii, but sufficient inducement held forth lo attract a suitable class o[ candidates. This cannot be obtained by limiting the chances of promotion, but by increasing the prospects of the members of the force there is created a decided stimulus to efficiency and good conduct. When it is considered that tlic police have constantly to be oo the a/eit, and are not infrequently brought iiuo contact, and conflict, with th(! worst class of humanity , that they have to face not /inly all weathers, but also many dangers in the performance of their duty, it seems only reasonable that they should have fair treatment in the Way of reward. Moreover, (hey ale subject to many temptations (far many more than most people know of), and it speaks well of the force as a whole ;hat instances of betrayal of trust or dereliction of duty are conspicuous by their rarity. We have every reason to be proud of our police force, and when an occasional' black sheep conies to light, much as • lie instance is regretted, it serves more as an illustration of the weak-

iress of the system which has allowed a wrong man to enter the force, ralher than as a retlection on 1 hi-

uiuety ami nine who go not astray. If the real .sunlityit-iilK of police constables could bu ascertained (admittedly an almost impossible tusk), there are pond grounds for believing that their one real grievance i:, the Want of a proper .scheme of promotion by merit, whereby the best men may be sure of coming to the top by force oi merit rather than by favour. Theoretically ibis may be flic rule at present, but, if su, the level of excellence attained leaves .something to be desired. In a body of men like the police it would be most discouraging to the more intelligent and zealous among the junior members to feci that they must not. exhibit greater smartness in their work than their superiors, and that if they did their best, and attracted notice it would militate, against their future prosspects. The great incentive to excel in any branch of work is perhaps a j somewhat sellisb one, but though moralists insist tbat the cunsueii-1 r*

lions discharge of a duty is only what is expected, most of us are so thoroughly human that there is a hankering alter a more tangible reward. It. would seem, therefore, that if increased efficiency in the force is to be obtained, and lawbreakers brought speedily to justice, that any reforms contemplated should be in the direction of acceler- , ating, by every available means, the wheels of justice, and that every en-I dcawjur should he made to. increase the number of superior officers, so that the areas of control may lie of sucli reasonable dimensions that valuable time may not be lost in setting the machinery going promptly whenever occasion demands. This plan would also best serve for keeping that supervision over the men in each district which is so necessary, and should in other ways assist martially in promoting the safety of the public. The confidence placed in the police is very great, and we are quite sure that there is every desire on the part of the law-abiding people nf this colony to encourage every member of the force to do his best.