130 THE PATEL. 



trackers in his district, and where tliey are to 

 be found ; and it is from among this class that 

 some of the best detective policemen are drawn. 



'' The only village officer at all recognised by 

 Government is the headman or patel, who is 

 responsible for giving information to the nearest 

 j)oliceman of any accidents or offences which 

 may come to his knowledge, and who is bound 

 to assist in person and with the aid of all mem- 

 bers of the community, trackers included, in 

 any subsequent steps wliich the police may find 

 necessary. 



^' This system seems to me, upon the wliole, 

 the best I have seen in India, for combining 

 the agency of the universal village police with 

 that of a centralised force like that of the Go- 

 vernment police. The village police in Sindh 

 not being, in any way, interfered with, remains 

 probably quite as efficient as it was under the 

 native Government, while it is supported and 

 supplemented by the Government police, when 

 occasions arise with wliich the village police is 

 incompetent adequately to deal." 



