Mr. Selwyn appears to have received a very complete apology
from the Assistant-Commissioner. From the public point of view, we are bound to point out, however, that such apologies cannot be regarded as a satisfactory termination of these cases. There must be something wrong about the dis- cipline of the police if the superior officers cannot impress upon the men under them that, so long as there is any possible' doubt, they have no right to treat men who are merely under arrest as if they were necessarily criminals. We would go further, and say that we do not see why even members of the criminal class should be treated with insult. It is not likely to improve their characters, and it is unquestionably subver- sive of discipline and a good tone in the force. We are no enemies of the police, and admire their many good qualities; but we are convinced that there is no greater curse to a country than a police which is not kept under proper control, and in which the instinct of tyranny, which always tends to develop with the great powers that must necessarily be entrusted to the police, is not sternly suppressed.
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