The Sun.
London, England, 1829-09-24 00:00:00

POLICE CONSTABLE.

fo him that lie will be much assist( d in the perform-
ance of his duties by making himself acquainted with
all such particulars ; without knowing them he cannot
hope to be a really efficient police officer, nor expect
to rise in the service.- He will be able to see ever),
part of his beat, at least once in ten minutes or s
quarter of an hour ; and this he will be expected tt
do ; so that' any person requiring assistance, by re-
maining in the same spot for that length of time,
must certainly meet a constable.
This regularity of moving through his beat shall
not, however, prevent his remaining at any par-
ticular place, if his presence there be necessary to
observe the conduct of any suspected person, or fog
any other good reason ; but he will be required to
satisfy his serjeant, or superior offiers, that there
was a sufficient cause for such appArent irregularity.
He will also attend at the appointed times, to makt.
a report to his Serjeant of any thing requiring notice.
All his duty will be carried on in silence; he is
not to call the hour. _ .

When he takes any one into custody, he will im-
mediately repair to a spot, appointed for the pur-
pose, in the section, and remain there pith the
prisoner until some constable comes who can supply
his place, while he carries the party to the Division
Station ; he will take care to return again to his
duty as soon as possible; or he may deliver over his
prisoner to the Serjeant or other Constable, arid
immediately return to his beat.
It will generally be most desirable that he should
accompany the party to the Division Station,
iu
order to substantiate the charge ; and when he takes
property from any one, he should not suffer it to be
out of his sight, until he delivers it to the Inspector
at the Division Station, and receives from him a
proper receipt for the same.
A temporary lock-up room will be provided, in
different parts of each division, in which, in` cases
of necessity, from Onger of rescue, or the Consta-
ble being required again to return to his beat to
suppress rioting, or capture other offenders, or the
like, a prisoner may be confined ; but this- is to be
done as seldom as possible, and the party should be
taken afterwards to the Division Station, whenever
circumstances will permit.
He is not to quit his beat during his tour of Duty,
unless under the circumstances already mentioned,
or some others rendering it necessary; he shall not
enter any house, except in the execution of his
Duty ; he will pay a particular attention to all public
houses in his bra+, reporting the hours at which
each is closed, and wh,•ther they appear to be kept
according to good order.
On no pretence shall he enter any public house
except in the immediate execution of his duty ; he
is to recollect that now the publican is subject to a
severe fine for allowing him to remain in his house.
No liquor of any sort shall be taken from a publican
without paying fur it at the time. If at any time he
requires immediate assistance, and cannot in any
other way obtain it, he must spring his rattle, but
',is is to be done as seldom as possible, for though

•
he is provided with one, and may sometimes find it
necessary to use it, such alarm often creates the mis-
chiefs it is intended to prevent, by assembling a
crowd, thus giving an opportunity of escape to the
criminals ; he will be required to report to the Ser-
jear►t of his party every occasion of his using his
rattle. _ _

If during the tour of their duty, he observes any
danger or inconvenience likely to arise from any
cause whatever, he must report it to the Serjeant ;
he will be civil and obliging to all people, of every
rank and class, and be ready to give information and
assistance when required ; but he must not enter
into conversation while on duty with any one, ex-
cept on matters relating to his duty.
He must be particularly cautious not to interfere
idly or unnecessarily, in order to make a display of
his authority ; when required to ,act, he will do so
with decision and boldness ; on all occasions he may
expect to receive the fullest support in the proper
exercise of his authority. He must remember that
there is no qualification so indispensable to a police
officer as a perfect command of temper, never suffer-
his duty in a quiet and determined manner, such
conduct will probably excite the well-disposed of
the bystanders to assist him, if he requires them;
but unless in cases of urgency, he ought not to in-
terfere without having a force sufficient to prevent
any opposition.
In case of a fire taking place, the constable at the
spot will give immediate alarm, and always spring
his rattle for that purpose; he should, as soon as
pos-ible, send information to the Division Station,
and until the arrival of some superior officer from
n horn he may receive further orders, he will exert
himself in any way likely to be most useful, as in
keeping the space near the spot clear, assisting in
removing property, sending for police from the
nearest Section residences, giving notice to the fire-
offices, engine-keepers, turn-cocks, &c.
No man at any great distance from the fire should
leave his beat, for depredators might take advantage
of his absence on such an occasion.
For his exertions upon these or any extraordinary
occasions, the Commissioners may recommend him
to the Secretary of State for a reward, if he shall
be considered deserving; but upon no pretence
whatsoever shall he receive a gratuity from any per-
son for any thing relating to his duty : this wia
always be visited. with immediate. dismissal. Fur-
ther instructions will be given to any constable who
may find himself in need of them.

PROVISIONAL INSTRUCTIONS.-PART

Every Police Constable in the Force may hope
to rise by intelligence and good conduct to the su-
perior stations ; it is therefore recommended to each
man to endeavour, by studying these instructions,
and by reflecting upon the nature of the duty he has
to perform, to qualify himself for such promotion.
But at the commencement he will most certainly
recommend himself to notice by a diligent discharge
of his own duties, and a strict obedience to the
commands of his superiors, recollecting that he who
has been accustomed to submit to discipline, will be
considered best qualified to enforce it hereafter.
He will reside in the Section, at the house ap-
pointed; he will devote the whole of his time and
abilities to the service. He is at all times to appear
►eat in.his person, and correctly dressed in the es-
tablished uniform : his demeanour should be respect-
ful towards his officers. He shall readily and punc-
tually obey the orders and instructions of the Ser-
jeants, Inspectors, and Superintendents : if they ap-
pear to him either unlawful or improper, he may
complain to the Commissioners, who will pay due
attention to him ; and any refusal to perform the
commands of his superiors, or negligence in doing
so, cannot be suffered.

It is intended here to state such parts of the law
relating to the office of a Constable as may be suf-
ficient for the general instruction of the Police Force.

When he has to go on duty he will take care to
be at the appointed place, if not before, precisely at
the prescribed hour. He is to fall in with the others
of his party; and after inspection by the serjeant,
and receiving any orders that may be necessary, he is
to be marched by his serjeant to the section. A parr
ticulur portion of the section is committed to his
care; he will have previously received from his ser-
jearit a card with the names of the streets, &c., form-
ing his beat. He will be held responsible for the se-,
curiry of the lives, and safety of all property, of every
person within his beat, and for the preservation of
the peace and general good order of the whole, dur-
ing the time he is on duty.
He must understand what powers he possesses to
effect these objects, either by arres•ing criminals, dis-
turbers of the peace, and evil-disposed persons, by
entering houses when he is required, by taking
bundle, and other articles carried at night by suspi-
cious persons; and he is recommended to read care-
fully the instructions given to him respecting the
general duties of a constable.
But it is likewise indispensably necessary that he
should make himself perfectly acquainted with all the.
parts of his beat or section, with the streets, thorough.;
fares, courts, and houses.
_ _

He will be expected to possess a knowledge also
of the inhabitants of each house. It must be obvious

Each individual will bear in mind the extreme im-
portance of making himself perfectly acquainted with
this subject : it is necessary to enable him, with a
due regard to his own safety, to act efficiently, for
the protection of the public.
In the novelty of the present establishment, par-
ticular care is to be taken that the constables of the
police, do not form false notions of their duties and
powers.
Though they may be more numerous and better
appointed than constables were formerly, they must
not suppose they possess any powers beyond those
which the law expressly gives them ; bnt the powers
of a Constable, as will appear hereafter, are, when
properly understood and duly executed, in truth,
very great. lie is regarded as the legitimate peace
officer of his district; and both by the common law
and many Acts of Parliament, he is invested with
certain powers, and has imposed on him the dis-
charge of many public duties. •
. •
Thus he is authorized and required in many cases
to act, in the execution of his office, either—
By arresting a party, charged with or suspected to
be guilty of some offence ;
To enter a house, in pursuit of an offender—to
quiet an affray, or search for stolen goods;
Or to take from another goods, which, from some
circumstances of suspicion, are supposed to have been
stolen. _ _ _

It therefore becomes necessary that the constable
should inform himself in what cases he ought so to
interfere; and what legal powers he possesses to
effect the object, in case he meets with resistance.
To assist the Police Constables in the discharge of
their duties, on these occasions, the following obser-
vations are prepared for their attentive perusual.
We shall begin by showing him for what offences
of more ordinary occurrence a party may be arrested
and taken into custody. With this object offences
may be divided into—

such as common assaults, affrays, and mere riots,
have the gentler names of misdemeanours.
As it is more important to prevent and punish
the commission of great crimes than of the lesser
offences, the constable has a greater power in cases
of felonies, than in those of mere misdemeanours.
But the first duty of a constable is always to pre-
vent the commission of a crime.
We shall therefore now show him what power
he has to arrest a party, whom, from his situation
And character, the law judges to be likely to commit
some felony.
Thus tl►e constable may arrest one whom he has
just cause to suspect is about to commit a felony.
As when ► lunatic, or a drunken person, or a man
in a viole►:t passion, threatens the life of another,
or when people are fighting furiously, or breaking
into a house, or doing such things which are likely
to lead to the commission of any felony, the con-
stable should interfere and arrest the parties.
So any person having in his possession any pick-
lock-key, crow, jack, bit, or other implement, with
intent feloniously to break into any dwell►ng-house,
warehouse, coach-house, stable, or out-building, or
being armed with any gun, pistol, hanger, cutlass,
bludgeon, or offensive weapon, or having upon him
any instrument, with intent to commit any feloni-

ous act.
Every one being found in any dwelling-house,
warehouse, coach-house, out-house, or stable, or in
any inclosed yard, garden, or area, for any unlawful
purpose.
Every suspected person, or reputed thief, fre-
quenting any river, canal, dock, or any wharf or
warehouse near thereto, or any street, highway, or
place adjacent, with intent to commit a felony, may
be arrested.
In each of these cases the constable must judge
from the situation and behaviour of the party-i!vhat
his intention is. In some cases no (look can exist, as
when the party is a notorious thief, or acting with
those who are thieves, or when the party is seen to
try people's pockets, in a crowd, attempt to break
into a house, or has endeavoured to carry off any
property secretly from another; but the constable
shall not act hastily, if the intentions are not thus
clear, but content himself with watching closely the
suspected party, and lie will probably soon discover
what his intentions really are.
The constable must arrest any one he sees in the
act of committing a felony.
Also any One whom another positively charges
with having committed a felony.
So upon the suspicions of another, if the grounds
of the suspicion appear to the constable to be rea-
sonable, and the party entertaining them go with the
constable.
So, though no charge be made, yet if the con-
stable suspect a person to have committed a felony,
he should arrest him ; and if he have reasonable
grounds for his suspicion, he is justified, even though
it should afterwards appear that no felony was in
fact committed.
But the constable must be cautious in thus act-
ing upon his own suspicions.
Yet, generally, if the arrest was made discreetly
and fairly, in pursuit of an offender, and not from
any private malice or the constable need not
doubt but that the law will protect him.
If after sunset, and before sun-rising, the constable
shall see any one carrying a bundle, or goods, which
he suspects were stolen, he should stop and examine
him first, and may detain him; but here also lie
should judge from all the circumstances—the appear-
ance and mannee of the party, his account of him-
self, and so on, whether he has really got stolen
goods, before lie actually takes him into custody.
The constable must make every exertion to effect
the arrest; and the law gives him abundant power
for the purpose. If the felon, or party accused, fly,
he may be immediately followed wherever he goes
and, if he take refuge in a house, he the constable
may, first stating who he is, arid his business, break
open the doors, if necessary, to get in. But the
breaking open outer doors is so violent and danger-
ous a proceeding, that the constable never should re-
sort to it except in extreme cases, and when an im-
There are caser, however, in which a constable
may and ought to break into a house, although no
felony has been committed, that is, from the neces-
sity of the cases, which will not admit of delay, as
when persons are fighting furiously in a house, or a
house has been entered by others with a felonious
intent, and a felony will probably be committed un-
less the constable interfere, and he cannot otherwise
get into the house ; but except in such cases, the
constable usually ought to wait till he gets a warrant
from a Magistrate.
If the constable finds his own exertions, or those
of the other constables there, insufficient to effect
the arrest, he ought to require all persons present to
assist him, and they are bound to do so.
If a prisoner should escape, he may be retaken;
and on immediate pursuit, the constable may follow
him anywhere, or into any house, whether hisheon:ne
or another's, in which he has taken refuge.
In cases of actual breaches of the peace, as riots,
affrays, assaults, and the like, committed within the
view of the constable, he should immediately inter-
fere (first giving public notice of his office, if
not already known), separate the combatants, and
prevent others from joining in the affray. If the
riot, &c. be of a serious nature, or if the offenders do
not immediately desist, he should take them into
custody, securing first the principal instigators of the
tumult, and do every thing in his power to restore
quiet. So if persons go about at night armed, or
in any other such manner so as to excite great sus-
picion that a breach of the peace is intended, or if
there be a disorderly noise and drinking in a house
at an unseasonable hour of the night, it is the duty
of the constable to arrest the parties. So he may
equally, as in other assaults, arrest any one as-
saulting or opposing him in the execution of his duty.
If a person forcibly enter the house of another,
the constable may, at the request of the owner, turn
him out directly; if he have entered peaceably, the
constable should first request him to go out, and
unless he do so, lie should turn him out; in .either
case using no more force than is necessary for that
purpose. So when the offence has not yet • been
committed, but when a breach of the peace is likely
to take place, as when persons are openly preparing
to fight, he should take the parties concerned into
custody; if they fly into a house, or are making such
preparations to fight within the house, the constable
should enter the house to prevent them, and likewise
take the parties into custody ; and should the doors
be closed, he may break them open if admission is
refused, after giving notice of his office, and his
object in entering.
If any party threaten another with immediate per-
sonal violence, offer to strike, or draw a weapon upon
another, the constable should take him into custody;
but if persons are merely quarrelling or insulting
each other, the constable leas no right to take them
into custody, but should admonish them to refrain.
The constable cannot, in cases of misdemeanour,
arrest a party, after the matter has happened, upon
the charge of another; though if another deliver to
him a person whom he charges with having com-
mitted such breach of the peace, the constable is
bound to take charge of him.
If a party, charged with a misdemeanour, escape
out of custody, he may be pursued immediately any
where ; and if he take refuge in a house, the doors
may be broken open after demand of admission, and
notification by the 'constable of his office and object

in coining.
After the arrest, the constable ;s in all'cases to
treat a prisoner with kindness and humanity, and
impose no constraint upon him but what is neces-
FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOUR. sary for his safe custody.
Murder,house-bre,king, robbery, stealing, pick- In all cases it is desirable to take the prisoner as
ing pocketsoeeeiving stolen goods knowing them to soon as convenient before the Sitting Magistrate,
have been stolen, assaulting nny one with intent to who will dispose of the case. At night he is to be
rob, setting fire to any church, house, or other build- taken to the Division Station, or in cases of Heces-
ings, are some of the principal felonies, besides a sity, to the nearest place of safety.
!peat many more too numerous to he inserted here. It will frequently be more advisable for the con-
Peraons guilty of any of these offences are called stable to get a warrant from a Magistrate before he
felons. acts in taking parties into custody. The constable
Smaller faults and omissi
ons of less consequence, is bound to follow the directions contained in the

warrant, and to execute it with secrecy and dispatch ;
in doing so he has equal power as when he acts
without a warrant, in the manner that has been already

stated.
If the warrant cannot be executed immediately, it
should be within a-resonable time afterwards, Ile
must execute the warrant himself, or when he calls
in assistance must be actually present. Upon all
occasions he ought to state his authority if it be not
generally known, and should spew his warrant when
required to do so; but he should never part with the
possession of the warrant, for it may be material for
his own justification afterwards.
When the con•tal►le gets within reach of a party
against whom he has a warrant, he should, in order
to make the arrest, tot:ch his person, or shut him
up in a room, stating at the same time that he makes
him his prisoner. When the person to be taken is
not personally known to the constable, he should in
some way be able to identify him, as, by taking
Some one with him to whom the party is known, or
by some marks, &c. previously given him. Upon
the arrest being made, the prisoner is to be taken
before the Magistrate as soon as convenient. When
the prisoner is brought to the Justice, he still re-
mains in custody of the constable until his discharge

or committal. .
The constable may enter a house to search for
stolen goods, having got a search-warrant from a
Magistrate for that purpose. He should in general
execute it in the day time. If he finds the goods
mentioned, he is to take them to the Magistrate,
and, when the warrant so directs, the person also in
whose possession they are found: to avoid mistakes,
the owner ought to attend at the search to identify
the goods.
In the classes of offences which are now to be
enumerated, there frequently occur cases in which it
is not desirable that the law should be enforced
against the offenders ; the constable will therefore
not notice them, unless when the offence may be
committed with such circumstances of aggravation
or mischief and offence to the public as to require
his immediate interference, or unless he receives a
special command from his Officers. But he should
know that he has power to apprehend and carry

before a Justice of the Peace—
Every common prostitute wandering in the public
streets or public highways, or in any place of public
resort, and behaving in a riotous or indecent manner.
Every petty chapman or pedlar wandering abroad
without being duly licensed, or otherwise authorised
by law.
Every person wandering abroad or placing him-
self or herself in any public street or highway,
court or passage, to beg or gather alms, or causing.
or procuring, or encouraging any child or cli;ldren
so to do, all such being declared by the law idle and
disorderly persons.
Any person committing any of the foregoing
offences a second time after a former conviction.
Every person professing to tell fortunes, or using
any subtle craft, means, or device, by palmistry, or
otherwise, to deceive and impose on any of his Ma-
jesty's subjects.
Every person wandering abroad and lodging in
any barn or outhouse, or in any deserted or unoccu-
pied building, or in the open air, or under a tent, or
in any cart or waggon, not having any visible means
of subsistence, and not giving a good account of
himself or herself.
Every person willfully exposing to view in any
street, road, highway, or public place, any obscene
print, picture, or other indecent exhibition.
Every person wilfully, openly, lewdly, and ob-
scenely exhibiting his person in any street, road, or
public highway, or in the view thereof, or in any
place of public resort, with intent to insult any
female.
Every person vundering abroad and endeavour-
ing,exp
alms.
exposure of wounds or deformities, to
obtain
the
o gatherr
Every person going about as a gatherer or collec-
tor of alms, or endeavouring to procure charitable
contributions of any nature or kind, under any false
or fraudulent pretence.
Every person playing or belting; in any street,
with Brij fine l3r~aßubltc Place, at or
or pretended game of chance.
If any carter, drayman, carman, waggoner, or
other driver, shall ride upon his cart, dray, car, or
waggon, in London, or within ten miles thereof, not
having some other person on foot, to guide the
same, he may be stopped, apprehended, and carried
before a Magistrate, as soon as may be convenient.
If the driver of any carriage shall, by negligence or
wilful misbehaviour, interrupt the free passage of
his Majesty's subjects, he may be apprehended and
conveyed before a Justice. Also, if the coachman,
guard, or other person having the care of any coach,
or other carriage, shall by intoxication, or wanton or
furious driving, or any other wilful misconduct, on
the public highway, injure or endanger any person,
he may be apprehended.
So it is lawful for any man belonging to the said
Police Force, during the time of his being on duty,
to apprehend all loose, idle, and disorderly persons,
whom he shall find disturbing the public peace, or
whom he shall have just reason to suisect of any
evil designs, and all persons whom he shall find be-
tween sunset aad the hour of eight o'clock in the
forenoon, lying in any highway, yard, or other place,
or loitering therein, and not giving a satisfactory ac-
count of themselves, and to deliver any person so
apprehended into the custody of the constable ap-
pointed under this Act who shall be in attendance
at the nearest watch-house, in order that such per-
son may be secured until he can be brought before a
Justice of the Peace, to be dealt with according to
law; or may give bail for his appearance before a
Justice of the Peace, if the constable shall deem it
prudent to take bail.
No shop, room, or place for the sale of ready-
made coffee, tea, or other liquors, shall be kept open
after eleven o'clock at night, during any part of the
year; nor opened before four in the morning be-
tween Lady-day and Michaelmas, or before six in
the morning between Michaelmas and Lady-day.
If any such are open, er, being shut, any persons
during the said hours shall be found therein, except
the persons actually dwelling there, or having lawful
excuse for being there, master, mistress, waiter, or
other person having care or management of such
shop, &c. the Constable should make complaint,
next day, to the sitting-Magistrate.
Any one blowing any horn, or using any noisy
instrument, for the purpose of hawking, selling, or
distributing any articles whatsoever, constables may
apprehend.
If any person in any public street or place beats
or dusts carpets, or drives any carriage for the pur-
pose of breaking or exercising, or trying horses; or
shall ride any horse for the purpose of trying or
shew
ing it for sale in such a manner as to cause
danger or great annoyance to passengers ; or throws
any ashes, dirt, rubbish, dung, or any filth upon the
carriage or foot way ; or shall slaughter or cut up
any beast, swine, or sheep, so near any public street
that any blood or filth shall flow upon the pave-
ment ; or rolls or drives upon the footway of any
street any waggon, cart, or other carriage, or wheel
a wheelbarrow or truck, or any cask or barrel ; or
rides or drives any horse or other beast upon any of
the footways; the constable may apprehend the
party and take him before the Magistrate; but if lie
know the party, or can discover his residence, the
best way is for the constable to lodge his complaint
with a Magistrate, who, will then issue a summons
for the party to appear.
If any person slack or sift lime in the streets, un-
less he can show the consent of the Com Missioners
Of the Pavements for so doing, complaint may be
made to a Magistrate; if entrances to coal•holes and
; tirhf e
s aeyes r mud, es
complaint may be made in the
same dirt, cellars are not properly secured, so as to prevent
danger to passengers, complaint should likewise be
mad
iernt scavenger or
rubbish,
hahnhiyh pienrtsoo n a
lisyv seepsof t
hoer
places
drains
e
way: .
During or after a fall of snow, or any frost, if the
occupier of any house or building do not once in
every day, except Sunday, before the hour of ton