Police Allow Thieves' Escape

In public administration even duty conscious officials, by force of circumstances and as a matter of strategy, have to close their eyes to save themselves from embarrassing situations. Considering their constraints and the peculiar situation in which they are placed we justify and appreciate their action and understand the helplessness. We have an interesting example explaining this feature.

A government faces a problem of preventing unauthorised cutting and removal of timber from a forest. Some officials are friendly with the offenders who make them happy in many ways ensuring their prosperity. This causes loss of revenue to government. The problem goes out of control due to inadequate and ineffective laws. The legislature finds the situation assuming alarming proportions and after deliberation enacts legislation. Accordingly stringent measures are implemented to seize the contraband goods. The vehicle used for transportation of such timber is subject to be confiscated along with the load and a case charged against the owner of the vehicle.

In a territory having thick forest cover looting of forest wealth takes place. Timber is a valuable item and it attracts poachers. A gang of thirty enters the forest and cuts several trees. The logs are strewn around on the forest floor. These are waiting to be transported in trucks to sales depots in nearby towns. The timber thieves start loading a truck. Information reaches the police and a jeep full of policemen arrives on the scene.

The sight of the police makes them abandon their work and look for channels of safety. But they fail and are rounded up with the help of some forest staff. The truck is confiscated. The police face a dilemma. They face the problem of taking these men to the nearest police station located ten miles away. They know their limitations and inability to accommodate more than six offenders in the police vehicle.

In a flash the senior official evolves a strategy to wriggle out and to avoid embarrassment to all. Some of the offenders plead before the police that they may be permitted to have tea from the nearby shop. The official capitalizes on the request. He announces that all those who want tea can have it quickly.

This opportunity is availed of by most of the offenders. They take to their heels. Police close their eyes as if they are least concerned about the offence and offenders. The remaining number of men comes to six. They are arrested and taken in the vehicle to the nearest police station. The truck, with the load is confiscated. Thus out of practical necessity thieves are allowed to escape and a difficult situation is overcome without complaint. In public administration such tact and strategy sometimes become necessary and appear to be the only wise alternative.