10. Use and misuse of statistics. - (a) Statistics are of considerable value, provided that intelligent use is made of them and figures are not taken at their face value in that they would indicate that a certain type of criminals or a certain locality needs special attention and that the work of certain officers needs special scrutiny.
(b)It is most important, however, not to attach any undue importance to statistics and not to use them as the chief means of appraising work, as this may make the subordinate officers believe that credit can only be gained by maintaining a high percentage of convictions and a low return of crime. The award of praise or blame solely on the basis of statistics is dangerous and may be unfair.(c)To judge an officer's merit it is necessary to scrutinize most carefully the work he has actually done and the circumstances, whether favourable or unfavourable, in which he had done it.
