Hyderabad, Oct. 20 -- Union Home Minister had some advice to trainee Indian Police Service (IPS) officers at their passing out parade in Hyderabad on October 17, which, prima facie, is laudable. Once in service, he told them to show "humility, restraint and commitment to the Constitution," according to The Hindu reported. Recognition must be earned by their performance and by staying away from publicity. Their "authority was a responsibility rather than a symbol of their status," he said.

That, in short, is what good policing is. Right from the time KF Rustomjee talked about police reforms, the country has been waiting for such policing, both in concept and in performance. As of now, it is sorely missing.

The recent work by the personne...