The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-02-19
POLICE GFFIC[-.s.

Some people seem to entertain strange
ideas of what Il police officer is for, and
what are his duties. 1t is a lamentable
fact that for few years past-while
Jackson has been blessed with good police
Officers-whenever an arrest has been
made which required force on the part of
the officer, persons were to be found ready
to denounce the officer and take sides
with the criminal-no matter how aggra-
vdtel his offense might be.
The idea entertained by some people as
to the duties of an officer, seems to be
something like this: An officer, when he
sees criminal violating the law, should
approach him, hat in hand, and invite
him, with profound politeness, to be so
kind as to step around to the Mayors Of
flee, and be entertained for a few mo-
ments. If he refuses to go, then the Off
officer may politely inquire if he will per-
nit himself to be carried along the streets,
by dozen or so of our best citizens. If
the criminal again refuse, then the officer
must report that the man can not be ar
rested, and all law is at an end.
nearly all, of our best citiZens-believe
that an officer, in making an arrest, should
inform the offender politely butNfirmly
that he must go along with him, and if
the offender turn upon the officer and
commence striking, beating and kicking
him, that the officer should draw his mace
and beat down the offender, and continue
10, g, 1Iv-c
renders to the representative of the law.
While upon this subject, we will men
tion an occurrence at the City Hall, a lit
tie over week ago, about which much
has been said. The room at the time of
the occurrence was well filled with men,
women and children. A nasty drunken
brute came staggering into the hall,
making himself very conspicuous, as well
as very obnoxious. He would crowd his
way forward, among the women and chill
dren in the reserved seats, remain a few
then out again, then crowd into
a seat in some other portion of the reserv-
ed seats. He was very evidently bent on
doing just as he pleased, and defying the
police and everybody else. Finally he be-
gan swearing and acting generally idiotic,
in the presence of the women and chill
dren. An officer hearing him, laid hold
of him, when he Immediately began fight
ing the officer. This in a crowded room |
On the third floor, where stampede would |
nave been disastrous.
In the struggle, the officer hit the bully |
1 whack over the head, which seemed to |
Knock little sense into him, and he |
would perhaps have been "cowed" and
vent along, but at this point plymouth
I'd fellow, who possessed more wind than
orains, began calling upon the prisoner
% shoot the officer But the prisoner was
marched off to the calaboose, while there
vas not perhaps, boy fifteen years of
sge in the building who could not have
AIKEN a club and ran the belligerent
'shootist" out of the hall. The officer
making the arrest struck the prisoner
ust ONCE, and no more, in the hall.
This is all past, but we merely make
mention of it as an instance to illustrate
,oint. If persons who chance to be stand
ng by when an arrest is made, would
Keep away until called upon, in ninety
line cases in a hundred, the arrested par
y would sooner go along than attempt to
'esist an officer armed with the law and
willow club.
We hope to see Jackson become so good
hat arrests by the police will be a thing
If the past-but as long as arrests have
o be made, we do not deem it wise to put
azy, chicken-hearted sentimentalists on
he police force. 1t is not at all necessary
o call out the militia every time man
las to be arrested for disorderly conduct.