The Argus at KellyGang 12/4/1882
THE POLICE COMMISSION
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
Sir,-I am glad to see that you are keeping an eye on that very unique body, the Police Commission. During its 12 months' labours there was not to be found one amongst its most ardent supporters who could point to one single useful result or the promise of such, while the mischief that has been done is incalculable.
That the police force had degenerated under the cheeseparing policy of a past Government, which rendered its proper supervision an impossibility, is true. The cure proposed by the commission in their wisdom is to perpetuate this state of things. I am aware they have not formally announced their purpose in this respect, but no secret has been made of their individual opinions.
It appears that the late acting chief commissioner of police, Mr Nicolson, allowed himself, under pressure, and contrary to his own well-known opinions on the subject, to submit a scheme for the reduction in numbers and pay of all ranks, and the commission is probably relying on his report, but Mr Nicolson, though an excellent detective officer, was, not an experienced police officer in the ordinary sense. He was, in fact, very much indeed-at sea when he undertook general police duties. Any recommendation, therefore, from him, even if untrammelled in every way, was not the best that was to be had. All the same the loss to the police force of an officer of his special experience, and of his general integrity, is not the least of the evils brought about by the Police Commission.
I do not think, however, that the commission has the least intention of going through with this inquiry. Some of its members may be desirous of embarrassing the Government, and of making political capital out of the very unceremonious way its recommendations have been dealt with, but they surely cannot expect, after the display they have made and the proofs they have given of their inability to deal with facts, that any recommendations by them in the future will carry weight. However this may be, it seems almost an insult to the moral sense and, I will add, the common sense of the community, that the existence of the commission should be prolonged to the present time. The disorganisation that had begun in the police force under the false economies of the past, has been greatly aggravated during the existence of the commission. Not only was the hold of the officers over their subordinates loosened, but there appeared as if an evil influence emanated from that body, which led to false swearing and reckless evidence generally, which, when investigated by competent men, reflected only on the authors themselves.
The cure for the most prominent evils now existing lies in a nutshell, and if the present chief commissioner has the courage of his opinions, and is supported by the Government in carrying them into effect-neither of which do I presume to doubt-matters can be very soon put right Mr Chomley knows, or has the means of knowing, the worth of every member of the force, and the first essential to improvement is to have a sufficient number of officers, whose ability and integrity are above suspicion, and the next to bring to book all officers, sub-officers, and constables who are known to be indolent, intemperate, or of bad repute, as a warning to evildoers and an encouragement to them that do well. Mr. Chomley's own character is above suspicion, and it must be his own fault if he does not elevate the character of the service. A temporising policy will not succeed, nor will it deserve to do so -Yours.
CATO.
&c,
April 11.
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