The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-07-11
A PLAIN TALK
With Members of the Police Force
by Mayor Messerly.

Mayor Mes,erly, yesterday, assembled
the members uf the police force at the CITY
hall for a brief conference in reference to
the duties and responsibilities of police
officers. and for the purpose of outturning
some rules and regulations for its future
guidance and government CT the force The
mayor first read the following brief ad-
dress:
''GENTLEMEH-I have quite recently had
occasion to suspend from duty enc of your
number. and | regret very much that il
became necessary Tor HE To take such steps.
but to make our police force efficient and
to preserve the dignity Of our policemen,
We must have strict iii. cipline You were
selected from list ii about forty applicants
and selected because you were thought 10
he well qualified TOR the position, and
have repeatedly been congratulated upon
nv police force, and until this occurance
where Officer Fe,sler acted so strangely, |
have had but little fault to find, but think
can make some suggestions that will
make our police force still more efficient.
have carefully prepared some rules and
instructions bv which Won will be governed,
and each policeman will he furnished with
printed copy and il will tie expected that
thev will he strictly adhered to-"
Hi, honor next proceeded To read the
following
RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS GOVERNING PO-
LICENEN OF >EDALIA, NO.
Every member of the police force when
entering upon duty must be neat In his
person and clothes, his boots clean and his
dress in conformity with the regulations
The star must be worn on the outside of
the coat. over the left breast, when on
duty, and when not on duty must De con-
cealrd.
The NEST important duty of police
man Is the prevention Of crime, and each
officer shall vigilantly watch all known
or suspected bad characters. He can by
his vigilance, make it difficult, il not i'm
possible, for any one tn commit crime on
his heat
When YOU attempt to make an arrest,
don't fail, but use no more force than is nee
essary TO protect yourself and secure your
man: and never use pistol or club except
in extreme cases where il may he neces-
TO protect your life or the lives of others.
Members of the police force are empow-
cred to make arrests without warrant, in
case the offense is committed or about to
be committed in presence or in view of the
officer.
III an assault or other violation of the
law has been committed, but not in your
presence and YOU are requested to make
the arrest by respectable party that is
known TO you, you may do so.
II in pursuit of one who has committed
afelonv. said party should take refuge in
any house, the officer shall enter said
house and arrest the offender.
Each policeman shall constantly patrol
his beat unless otherwise ordered, and
mrst not SIT, lounge or act the idler.
Each policeman shall give strict atten-
ton Ia sanitary matters. and when he dis
covers anything supposed TO be dangerous
to life and health, he shall report the
same.
He shall see shat sidewalks and streets
are kept in passable condition and free
from distractions. and report sewers and
drains that are likely to be detrimental to
health.
He shall frequently during the night time
examine doors and windows of stores and
see that they are securely fastened.
Your conduct and department must be
quiet, civil and orderly.
In the performance of YOUR dnties, act
with firmness and sufficient energy, control
your temper, and on all occasions use dis
cretion.
No policeman while on duty shall enter
any place where intoxicating drink is sold,
except in the immediate discharge of his
duties
Policemen shall not engage in CONVEX
satiOn with each other. or with anv other
person, except to communicate informa-
ton appertaining to their police duties.
Policemen will be allowed one hour to
get their meals. the time to be regulated
by the marshal who is their chief
c. f. MEssERLY, Mayor.
The mayor accompanied the reading of
the rules and regulations with appropriate
remarks and timely suggestions, all of
which was most attentively listened to by
every member of the force