§ MR. LOCKEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been directed to a recent charge against three 562 young men at Marlborough street Police Court, and to the published comments of Mr. Knox, the magistrate, upon the conduct and evidence of the police, and, whether he intends to direct any proceedings to be taken in the matter?
MR. BRUCESir, the facts of this case have received my very careful consideration. It appears that on the night of the 1st of July there was a disturbance in the Haymarket, between the hours of one and two o'clock, a large number of prostitutes being present. Certain persons were arrested on the charge of having taken part in the disturbance and of having assaulted the police. The magistrate before whom the case was brought dismissed the charge, believing the statements of the persons accused rather than the sworn evidence of the police. The constables were men of good character and of long service, and were especially selected for the very arduous task of keeping order in the Haymarket at night. Undoubtedly the decision of the magistrate throws doubt upon their veracity and trustworthiness. The rule established by the Home Office, after much experience in such matters for the guidance of the Chief Commissioner of Police, has been that, in all charges against members of the force where the evidence is conflicting, and is supported on either side by witnesses who are not members of the force, the case should be left to the decision of a magistrate. The Chief Commissioner of Police has no means of conducting a judicial inquiry, without which no decision affecting the character and interests of the members of the force could be properly made. The proper course, therefore, in the present case would seem to be that the gentlemen aggrieved should either summon the policemen for assault before a magistrate, or should proceed against them by way of indictment Should the result of either of these proceedings be unfavourable to the policemen, it would be the duty of the Chief Commissioner to inflict such punishment by dismissal or otherwise, as might seem adequate to the offence.
§ MR. LOCKEI should like to ask, Sir, if the right hon. Gentleman intends to recommend that the Government should indict the policemen, or whether it is to be left to the persons who have been injured?
MR. BRUCEI see no particular reason why the Government should undertake the prosecution. The policemen adhere to the truth of their statement; hitherto they have borne excellent characters in the force. The occurrence took place in a part of the town, and at an hour of the night, which rendered the circumstances suspicious; and the remedy being so cheap and so easy— namely, that of summoning the men for an assault before the magistrate, it seems to me unnecessary for the Government to interfere.