POLICE AND ARRESTS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 107, 6 May 1916, Page 3

POLICE AND ARRESTS

CHARGES OF OFFICIOUSNESS

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPLY,

Numbers of the public have an impression that a constable's promotion is quickened by a zeal for making arrests. A recent incident has caused some discussion of that notion, and therefore, m the interests of the police and public alike, Tlie Post has made enquiries.

Superintendent O'Donovan 6ays that the number of arrests made by a constable (irrespective of the circumstances of cases) is not necessarily a factor in promotion. Numbers of men employed in positions where the duties, do not require them to make arrests are competing for promotion with men who are on the beats. Several of the officers in the highest positions have never been prominent on the ground of arrests. The Superintendent, throughout his career, has not known the head authorities to regard mere number of arrest3 as a reason for promotion. The qualifications on which success in the service depends are given as all-round efficiency, tact, civility, character.

The "officious man" (the Superintendent states), the man who may have effected a large number of arrests, may be a difficult man for the authorities to deal with, and a dangerous man. The traditions of the force require its members to. carry-out their duties conscientiously, reasonably, in a- manner to conserve the public order and comfort, with the smallest degree of friction. In regard to breaches of one or other of numerous bylaws, the procedure ia by summons and not by arrest. It is not a pleasant duty for the police to have to bring to Court citizens whose conduct— except for a breach of a certain bylaw— is beyond reproach. Tho constables are expected to exercise tact, with fairness and firmness, but an easygoing tolerance of repeated offences against bylaws —if detected — can bring censure on the neglectful constable. Similarly, if the authorities have proof that the public interest has suffered by' a constable's default—in not trying to make an arrest in certain circumstances—he is necessarily liable to be admonished, but such procedure does not imply that men are. encouraged to make arrests, regardless of circumstances.

Referring to persons arrested for drunkenness, the Superintendent mentions that there are two kinds : (1) The incapable, who obviously need a run or ride to a lock-up; (2) the persons who are more or less under the influence of liquor, but are not absolutely incapable. In handling the second division, a constable is expected to exercise discretion: he has to consider the general public and the individual. If the exhilarated person is apt to be a nuisance to the public, or is likely to run a risk of injury by traffic or exposure to cold, or is giving an opportunity to criminals to follow him and rob him, the police intervene. If a person in such a state has a friend he can thus be escorted out of harm's way, but if the unsteady one is alone, he may be taken to a police station for safety.