Quarterly Commentary
| Published date | 01 October 1949 |
| Date | 01 October 1949 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X4902200401 |
| Subject Matter | Quarterly Commentary |
POLICE JOURNAL
VOL.
XXII,
NO.4.
OCTOBER-DECEMBER,
1949
Quarterly Commentary
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
ONE of the many sound things taught at police training schools is
that
the result of a prosecution is not the concern of
the
individual
police officer in charge of the case. His business ends when he has
brought all the facts before the Court in a fair and unbiassed manner.
If
the Court in its wisdom deals with
the
offender in what seems to
be a ridiculously lenient manner, with no reference to the amount of
work
put
into the investigation which brought the criminal to justice,
the decision and responsibility is on the court and not on the police
officer. We know how difficult it must be on occasions for the officer
to answer the questions of the irate man or woman whose daughter
was the victim or whose property is still missing or irreparably damaged,
but
it is his duty to pass no comment, and to pursue the criminal with
vigour once more should he take undue advantage of the leniency
meted out to him and revert to crime.
Human
nature makes such
a high sense of duty difficult to perform,
but
in their official role at
least the Police act up to it without fail.
This line of thought has its origin in the reading of the Justices
of the Peace Bill. Here the Police will naturally find much of interest
to them. Justices of the Peace have their origin deep in the history of
our constitution. With the passing of the years and the changing
times and manners it was inevitable that changes should have been
introduced affecting their work, their appointment and retirement.
The
paramount change in their functions was one which was brought
about gradually,
that
which restricted their activities to matters
judicial and excluded matters of an executive nature.
It
is difficult
to-day to imagine justices carrying out the duties which now so natur-
ally fall on the Police
but
originally their office included in large
measure the investigation of crime and offences as well as dealing with
the offender.
The
latest Justices of the Peace Bill makes no sweeping change.
There
are some minor changes in the qualifications for appointment
and a clause which will place on a better and clearer footing the re-
tirement of those whose age or health renders
them
unfit for further
service.
In
a few cases, as instanced by some very well-known judges,
B 241
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