MALAGASY NATIONAL POLICE

F. Police Problems
1 The Malagasy are generally a,very law abiding, gentle, home lov­
ing.people. Crimes of violence-are the exception while larceny is the
most common offense. The stealing of cattle, particularly among the
southern tribes, is still sometimes considered to be an honorable effort
.and has retained-some ritualistic significance., uWhenyouth-achieves
a
manhood he is supposed'to bring.into the village a stolen head of cattle.
Petty larceny, especially of olothing, is also prevalenit..
2. The MalagasyPolice seem to be well integrated .ithln,the comt­
munity.- The Survey Team observed on many occasions police officers ad­
.Judicating neighborhood quarrels. It is customary when people have dif­
ferences to v6luntarily appear at the precinct station and request an
officer to settle the dispute.
3. Various jails and detention rooa in precinct stations were
visited and in all cases were found to be clean and well kept. Prisoners
appear to be very docile and tractable.. It is not.an uncomon experience
to observe one unarmed policeman.escorting a number of unfettered pris­
oners along a street 'or road.
G. Alien Ethnic Minorities (Chinese and Indian)
1. Minister of the Interior, Andre Resampa, has been quoted as say­
ing there were nearly 30,000 Chinese in the Malagasy Republic with most
of them concentrated in the vicinity of Tamatave and the east coast area.
M.-Resampa has iisisted that these Chinese pose an internal security prob­
lem to the National Police and has used this argument in his:request for
material aid to the police. He had originally insisted that with Coast
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