The police and the people
IN his address to a battalion of the Punjab Police at the University Ground in Lahore on Saturday, Sir Malcolm Hailey had something to say about the people. “The value of the government” he said, “depends not only on its good intentions and the correctness of its policy but on its reputation among the people, and its reputation depends largely on the work of its subordinates.” Speaking of the police force in particular, His Excellency said: “It is given exceptional power over the actual liberty of its fellow citizens and if on any occasion it abuses those powers, it is guilty of a grave offence against the very people whom it is employed to protect. We no longer live in days when an offence of this nature can pass unnoticed; such cases immediately form the subject of public comment and criticism. Very often, that criticism is exaggerated and there are occasions when the most unjustifiable aspersions are cast on the police. You may be assured that the government will do its best to see that you do not suffer by such an attack; it will endeavour to protect your honour against unfounded slander and libel. But you, on your part, must protect the good name of your force and the reputation of the government. Every servant of the government is a servant of the public.” Subject to one important reservation, these sentiments are almost faultlessly expressed. His Excellency promises the police the fullest measure of protection against unfounded slander and libel, but says nothing about what he and his government will do when the attacks upon the police are just and well-founded.
