Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-11
HpfrtERs,s DUTIES.
A Short Chapter on the Duties OF
the officers snq Men of n Police

A Short Chapter on the Duties OF
the Onicers enp Men of the Police
Force.
The peelers'" manual is a little red
covered book Of some fifty pages, con
tanning general rules and regulations,
the duties Of the officers and men, q list
of the various crimes and misdemeanors
known to the laws of the State and
other important information. The book
is supposed to be in the possession Of
every "peeler,' so that be may read
therein and become instructed in his
business. 1t is a curious book, showing
that the ordinances are not enforced in
many particulars, and that the rules and
regulations adopted By the police COM
m%issiouers are not enforced with strict
ness or in any other manner
We publish a brief synopsis Of the
duties of officers and men of the force,
and each reader should ask himself, rs
that duty performed after reading the
paragraphs:
THE CHIEF.
The chief must visit the station-house
and the different beats at irregular hours
aud as often as his duties will permit.
THE CAPS"
The caps" are the boys who straddle
horses and appear at the head of street
professions enthusiastically,
They will exercise constant vigilance
over suspicious houses and places in
their districts.
THE sERGEANTs."
They must report all neglect of duty
on the part Of the men, and see hat all
the regulations are complied with. They
must patrol their districts at least once
during each turn of duty. They must
report to their " capS' all information
acquired by themselves or by their pat
rolmen concerning disorderly or suspi
cious houses, places or persons.
THE BOYS"
They must familiarize themselves with
every part Of their respective beats
They will observe all houses and places
ia which gambling is being carried on il
violition of law. They will watch dis
orderly houses and houses of ill.fame
They will report houses for violating thu
Sunday liquor law, and must remove al
persons found begging on the streets
They will examine all doors and Low
windows during night duty and see tha
they are properly secured. They mus
extend their vigilance over adjacen
beats when the patrolmen of such beat
are abIent. They will not allow tn
sidewalks or carriage ways to be oh
%structed, or the doors of public hall
, and churches.
bhNEhAL RULES
; No "peeler" shall engage in any othe
business. BE shall wear his star on hi
left breast; shall not receive or shar
!. any present, fee or emolument for polio
3 services, etc shall not belong TO an
D political club or organization, or partic
pate in any political or partisan CONVEX
s ton or public meeting, nor engage i
{ any way in matters political, except t
vote. BE must treat prisoners human,
ly and kindly and must not use lauguag
a calculated to offend and provoke them
must not take money or other propsrt
< Of value from prisoners except in th
d presence Of the station.house keeper
but arrested parties may be searched fc
weapons. He must not enter auy drinI
s ing saloon, Clearinghouse or house of il
b fame or other d~isreputable place, 70
e auy purpose apart from a strict perform
r ence Of duty. He must not smoke
s drink while on duty; must not walk t
gether, stop on street corners, linger o
e routes or enter any house.
QUALIFICATIONS.
No person shall be appointed patro
man unless he is able to read and writ
!, understandingly, is a citizen Of tn
/; United States, aud has been a resident {
Memphis one year prior to his applies
ton for appointment. He is MOI quail
!: fed if he has been convicted Of any il
h famous crime; i. not less t1at twenty-fy
nor more than fifty years Of age, H
d must be in good health and sound O
body, aud Of good moral character an
:. habits.
$40 MAIN STREET,
y Opposite Peabody.