THE POLICEMAN’S DUTY

Evening Star, Issue 17544, 27 December 1920, Page 3

THE POLICEMAN’S DUTY

MULTIFARIOUS RESPONSIBILITIES THE COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW. By -way of introduction to a booklet containing regulations under the Police Force 'Amendment. Act of last year, the Commissioner of Police (Mr J. O’Dcnovan) reviews several aspects of a policenmu’is niany duties. “ Self-control is a great factor,” lie says. “ Civility of words and due restraint in actions make a great impression upon the public mind; want of them is unpardonable. The constable-on tho beat is asked about -a multitude of tilings, especially by country visitors and strangers from other places. He should be well prepared to answer all questions relating to the town or city, sncli as arrival and departure of trains, steamers, and public conveyances ; routes of traffic? location of wards or recognised divisions of the town; streets; places of worship; hospitals, public or private; public baths; doctors* and dentists’ surgeries; offices of the Government and corporation; schools, theatres, and pulilio halls; hotels, licensed and unlicensed, with the standard of accommodation to be expected in cac.h; direction and means of travelling to suburbs; public parks and recreation grounds, museums and public libraries. A wido knowledge of the places of business is also, very essential. A civil, correct answer to all such questions is much appreciated, and cannot fail to enhance respect for the constable and his office. An uncouth or boorish answer has the opposite effect; it is generally due to the constable’s inexcusable ignorance of the information sought. In any case, “a soft answer turneth away wrath,” and even a fool should not be answered according to his folly. A constable should not degrade himself by adopting the method of foolish or malicious persons who seek only to provoke him with senseless or taunting questions. -Such persons should bo dealt with firmly but courteously withal. “ SOLICITUDE AND CARE.” “Women and children, the old and the disabled and feeble, should be the special objects of the solicitude and care of the police in all public places. Without deserting their posts or otherwise infringing discipline, tho police could assist them in many small things not strictly within the lines, of duty. But silly extremes in this respect must be avoided. The returned soldiers- also deserve our sympathy and merit our assistance. Their experiences in the inferno through which they have passed no Virgil, no Dante, could adequately describe. From that inferno many returned shattered in mind and nerves or maimed in body. In certain conditions they are liable to be erratic and perhaps to commit offences, particularly public order. In such cases, when it is necessary to interfere witn them, the utmost tact and discretion should be exercised. Forbearance in the use of force and in respect- of arrest should be carried to the utmost limits consistent with the necessities of the case The friendly aid of willing civilians should be availed of as far as possible. TREATMENT OP OFFENDERS. “The treatment of offenders is a matter of extreme importance. Care should he taken that no avoidable degradation is put upon them. Persons who are found committing offences in public places should not be unnecessarily exposed on the spot. Summonses for offences should not be delivered to defendants within the view of others; such persons should be tactfully drawn aside to some private place. When offenders are arrested public exposure should he avoided as much as possibie. Vehicles (covered, if available) should he used to convey them from the place of arrest to the lock-up or .prison, at the expense of the department. Any illtreatment. wilful or negligent, of persons in the custody of the police, no matter for what cause, ought to be scrupulously avoided. No conduct is more unmanly, no cruelty more callous. Details of evidence against persons arrested should not be made public until the proper time before the proper tribunal. Above all, allusion to the criminal history of accused, .or any other matter likely to prejudice him at his trial, should not be made in information given to the Press, particularly when arrests are made for the more serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, burglary, housebreaking, and others. Uniformly humane conduct to offenders cannot fail to raise the police in general public estimation and even in the estimation of accused persons themselves. A few instances of contrary behaviour leave stigmas on the whole force that are heardly°ever effaced. “The discharged convict should also receive what aid and encouragement we can give him to obtain suitable employment, etc., and redeem his character. At the very least the police should place no obstacle in his way. A delicate and difficult question arises, however, when there is conflict between the interest of the man and the interest of the public. Such aquestion may arise, for instance, when a convicted thief obtains employment, sav, in an hotel where many travellers are accommodated. What should the police do? Should a hint of his character be given to his employer? The result would be instant loss of employment. The action of the police, often falsely alleged, in such cases has been so unequivocally condemned that it is deemed to be best to Jet'things take their own course. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. “In the course of your duties you are entrusted with confidential information ! affecting the character and honor of individuals or families, or relating to their business. Such information must h© carefully guarded, so that no improper disclosure of it is made. Remember that, as such information was given to you in your official capacity, you have no right to" use ; it or to disclose it except for a legitimate official purpose. Any wanton or malicious breach of confidence is a certain sign of unfitness for the police force. These remarks also apply to the wives of mem- | hers of the force, especially those in country stations, who, in the absence of their husbands, receive much information of a confidential nature to be communicated to the officers on their return. It is not necessary to point out how essential it is that the recipients of such information ! should be discreet and faithful in preserving confidence. Tattling about such matters is calculated to cause much mischief and to involve the officers in difficulties.” ~