CO129-152 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [9-10] — Page 316

("China Mail" of 26th October, 1870.)

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A few remarks on the unsatisfactory condition of our Police Force will not be out of place at a time when the Budget for the ensuing year is to be voted. In com- menting on its inefficiency some months since, we advocated the appointment of a Com- mission to examine and report on its general organization and working. It has been our duty frequently, since then, to chronicle many of its shortcomings, and or two occasions to bear testimony to the energy or success attending the efforts of one upon one or two of its members individually; still we adhere to our expressed opinion as to the desirability of ascertaining the causes which operate against its successful working. It is believed that sufficient information was obtained by the Commissioners appointed to investigate the conduct of the Police in reference to the Showkewan case to warrant a condemnatory verdict on both its organization and administration, yet as such has never been disclosed, it might as well for all practical purposes have never been obtain- ed at all.

315 There are many difficulties to be overcome before the Force can be brought to any degree of efficiency, and as ill-advised changes might rather have a tendency to retard than promote its improvement we are strongly in favor of employing means to ascertain the causes of its inefficiency before attempting to apply a remedy. We know of no readier way to obtain the data so essential to possess before proceeding to a reconstruction than by means of an open Commission of Enquiry, unless indeed the information already obtained can be made available, so that we have no hesitation in recommending this course. This plan if adopted might necessitate a delay in the passing of the Budget, but such a reason in itself should not be allowed to be an obstacle against so important a measure. Exceptions were taken to the composition of the last Commission, owing to its being exclusively made up of Government officials, and this cause of complaint might be removed by including some of the unofficial members of Council in any future Commission, or by throwing it open to all the unofficial members, particularly as their number is so limited. This course has been frequently adopted with advantage in other Colonies, and might well be followed here in a matter affecting so deeply all our interests as the condition of our Police.

The Chief Justice, having frequently complained of the constitution of the Police, and the many inconveniences arising from the division of authority in Police matters both from the Bench and his seat at the Council Table, might if appealed to be disposed to give his valuable assistance to any Commission that might be nominated.

When the question of a West Indian Force was submitted to Council, a few months back, it was so well received that if double the sum required had been asked it would have been immediately voted. One of the members-the Hon. W. KESWICK, we be- lieve-while giving his adhesion to the proposal as an experiment, very wisely suggested that the subject being so important should be well considered before final decision. It would therefore appear highly desirable to ascertain the result of this experiment before finally deciding on the merits of the various nationalities composing our Police Force. There can be little question, we apprehend, of the superiority of the English-speaking West Indian over the Indian or Sikh for our Police Force; for, however excellent the latter may be as soldiers, the fact of their being ignorant of both the English and Chi- nese languages must necessarily militate against them as Policemen, where the latter languages alone are in use. A sum of $172,395.20 is put down as the probable Police expenditure for next year; and although this may not be too much to pay for an effi- cient service, it is certainly too much to pay for one so badly organized and generally defective as the one we now possess.