The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-04-06
POLICE DISCIPLINE.

quate police or other peace officers,
sufficient in number TO meet the re-
quirements of the public, to protect
life and property, and to perform
such other duties as may be re-
quired of them to maintain law and
order.
The police force of city should |
be men of well-known good charac-
ter, intelligent and fairly educated,
of a standard height of at least
feet 10 inches. They should be well
drilled, trained, and instructed in
all branches pertaining to their
office, particularly detective duty.
To ensure this, and to have an
active and efficient police force, so
disciplined as to be competent to
meet all emergencies, it is essen
italy necessary that well trained
and experienced man, qualified to
instruct and control the movements
of the police, should be at the head
of that department.
The head of a police force should
serve in subordinate grade, besides
being man possessed of sterling
qualities, before being appointed to
such a responsible position as chief
of police department. He should
be man in whose ability the pub
lie have full confidence. To him
alone the authorities and public at
large should look for that police pro-
lection to which they are entitled.
If the chief is man lacking in exc
cutive ability, then the whole police
force will be in state of inefliciency
and disorganization. To him the
people should look for the efficiency
of the force and the faithful per-
formance of its duty.
The police should understand and
realize that they are the servants of
the public, in whose service they are
employed.
The Honolulu police as body
have of late received more than a
fair share of criticism. To my think
ing, the men themselves are not so
much to blame as the system which
governs them. There are too many
ornamental official heads claiming
authority over that body.
The Marshal of the Kingdom, by
virtue of of his Office under the pre-
sent system, is the acknowledged
head. He is also High Sheriff,
Bailiff, and sometimes ofliciates as
auctioneer, particularly where a
good percentage foots up. The
three last-named positions are
enough for one man to fill with Gre
dit. He is detached from the force,
his office is at the government build
ings, and his duties as sheriff call
him away to the other islands occa.
sionally. This official cannot be
reasonably held responsible for the
working of the police department.
Next comes the Deputy Marshal
man of parts, has had long expert
ence in the department, and is,
/ believe, a good, honest, well-mean
ing man. This official should bt
more answerable to the public thar
the Marshal. He is in reality tn,
chief of police.
! Abolish the position of deputy
Marshal. A deputy Official is neithe
feared nor respected. He is mer
shadow of authority. Make hin
responsible Chief of Police, and lie
him have full control. The native
police officers are bewidered tt
G know who really is their officia
, head, or who should instruct then
l in their duties.
To place the force on more eff
) cient footing that body would hav
F.. to be increased, and told off in tw
u different watches. At present tn
{ native police have too long hours o
0 duty, which units them for activity
. Eight hours on duty, and only eigb
u hours to rest, when required fo
= duty again, is hardship. A polio
~ officer is liable to be called upon fC
p duty any moment, therefore Civ
: him rest. Never tire him out, c
. render him unserviceable or unf
~ for immediate duty when calle
y upon, by long hours on duty.
u has been decided over and ovt
y again by competent men of exper
s. ence that for one hour on patr
l, duty a constable should have tw
~ " hours for rest.
II A responsible Chief Constab
l le should be appointed, with one Cal
Ie tain of police (native), the force
y. be divided into three watches, to |
~ ~ relieved every eight hours. TV
u Sergeants should be appointed
Y. each watch, the senior to ha'
,e charge of the watch when on dut,
!. the Captain of police to issue ;
u orders to his men when received
G. him from the Chief Constable; Il
10 " Captain of police to receive all G
~ ders pertaining to the police depal
W ment from tho Chief COnatahIe