Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-23

adopted by the Memphis Metropolitan Police
Board, and may be taken as an index of the
character of the regulations that will govern
this city when the Commissioners are once
installed:
No member of the police is suffered tc
engage in any other business, or be a mem.
Der of any fire or military company. Each
member is required to give his whole time
and attention to his duties as such, and
although certain times are allotted to each
for the ordinary performance Of duty, he is
requested at all times 10 be prepared to act
Immediately when his services are required
In time Of peril the members Of the force
are required to act in concert, and to protect
each other in the restoration of order; any
one shrinking from responsibility or danger
at such time, is to be dismissed from the
service.
Every officer and patrolman is held res
ponsibe for the proper discharge of the du-
ties assigned him, and no excuse or justif-
cation is received for neglect of duty, whe-
ther by omission or by following the advice
of another, unless an officer who has the
right, directs him to do so, taking upon
himself the responsibility
The members of the force are required to
be civil and respectful towards their officers,
and to each other and the citizens The use
Of harsh or profane language by them is
strictly forbidden. Policemen are cautioned
against allowing themselves 20 be provoked
by uncivil or rude language-when, howev-
er, this offence is of an aggravated character
the offender is to be arrested and taken to
the station house on a charge Of breach of
the peace. If such arrest is not made at the
time, no member of the force is permitted to
apply for a warrant for any offence against
his person or property without obtaining
from the superintendent his permission in
writing to make such application.
No member is allowed to compound any
ofiense against his person or property, or
withdraw any complaint unless permitted by
the superintendent. All officers and police
men are strictly forbid giving any Informal
ton they have respecting their instructions
which might enable any party to escape
from arrest or punishment.
No member is permitted to receive or
share in any present for police services, 9th
er than the regular salary provided by law,
except by consent of the Board of Commits
sioners. Every member Of the police is en-
titled to entertain his own political opinions,
which are not disloyal to the Government of
the State or the United States, and to ex-
press the same freely, provided it does not
interfere with his official duties; and his
right to vote at all elections for such candi-
dates as he may prefer, is to be deemed
sacred and inviolate But no member is
permitted to belong to any political club or
organization OrtO participate in any partisan
convention, whose purpose is the nomina-
ton Of candidates to any political Office,
nor are they permitted to make any contri-
buttons in money for the success of such or
CARNATIONS.
Upon the days of elections for public officers,
each member is requested to preserve the
peace, enforce the rights of lawful voters, so
that the integrity of the ballot-box is pro-
tected, and to prevent illegal and fraudulent
voting, but is not permitted to use his inhu-
ence for or against candidate, challenge vo-
tiers, distribute tickets or act the partisan, I'M
der the penalty of Immediate dismissal. The
10Th, 18th and 18th sections relate to the
uniforms, or dress ofthe police-penalties for
remissness of duty, and the manner in
which they shall wear their arms. Both Of
tiCers and patrolmen are strictly forbidden
to enter any drinking or gambling saloon,
house of ill-fame, or other disreputable
place whatever, apart from the strict per-
Torrance of their official duty.
No member is allowed to smoke or drink
any spirituous liquor, while in uniform, I'M
der penalty of dismissal.
Patrolmen, when on tours of service are
not permitted to talk with each other or any
person whom they may meet, unless it be to
receive information appertaining to their
duties or to answer civily but briefly, ques-
tons Of strangers or citizens really requir-
ing their assistance or direction. During
these patrols they are not permitted to halt
on the corners Of streets or enter houses, UNI
less in cases Of immediate official necessity.
Any member violating any law of the
State, or ordinances of Memphis, is to be at
once dismissed.
The two last sections, 10Th and Goth, per-
tain exclusively TO the laws regulating the
police force, and are very severe.
If the spirit of the code adopted is only
ex ecuted reform can but follow.