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PART VI CONCLUSIONS
131
criticizing the police without considering the part played by society in encouraging or harbouring the offence e.g. narcotics and gambling, and by legislators when they bring matters such as these within the category of crime. As for deportation, the evidence does indicate that there is a measure of unjustified fear prevalent amongst some Chinese in this regard but we found no evidence that it was a causative factor in the riots; in fact there is a logical inconsistency in suggesting it was, for if people really believed the police had such drastic disciplinary powers, they would surely avoid bringing themselves to the attention of the authorities by rioting. Nevertheless we feel Government should endeavour to ensure that the real facts regarding the law relating to deportation or detention, when deportation is impossible, are made clearer to the Chinese population. That the latter power is being used with care and restraint was illustrated by the evidence from the Commissioner of Police that the number so detained when he spoke was six.
479. The comparative absence of a decentralized administration, particularly in the densely populated area of Kowloon, and the slow growth of an effective system of leadership at the local level has, we believe, thrown a heavy burden on the police. This may indeed have contributed to an impression which we were told exists in some quarters that 'the Government does not care and gives all power to the police': a misconception which it is clearly desirable to remove.
480. The police must also anticipate that the very nature of some of their tasks will attract towards them a measure of dislike. Furthermore, they must expect that the bad or disgruntled policeman who will almost inevitably be found, on occasions, in so large a force, will give rise to genuine grievances or to mis- representation which will affect the public's attitude to the police as a whole. To counteract this, it is necessary not only to maintain rigorous standards of rectitude at all levels and a constant vigilance for every opportunity to correct and dissipate any misconception or misapprehension that comes to attention or can be uncovered, but also to seek out and promote public co-operation and assistance.
481. The Commissioner welcomed the idea of a scientific survey of public attitudes which would obviously provide a clearer insight into the measures needed in the long term. In the short term it may be possible to improve the 'public image' by closer contact with the public, as instanced by the 'school patrols', as well as with the press by more publicity of the measures taken by the police and of the problems encountered in their fight against crime and by increased attention to public relations at all levels.
482. All this implies, of course, a no less compelling duty on public leaders, the press and all who are anxious for the preservation of law and order to avoid encouraging any erosion in the public's respect for the law as such and for those who are enforcing it.