The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-08
1NDON'S POLICE FORCE.
nm IT IS ORGANIZED AND WHAT
SPLENDID WORK 1T DOES.

n,,-,,y nv recent visit to London spent
considerable time investigating the police
srce Of that city.
The history of the London police has yet
10 uritten, and very curious record in
"a would be that of the successive changes,
rars in the direction Of Improvement,
Ibicb have been made in the constitution,
he discipline and the dress OF the metro
olitsn and city police since the force.
s,shIisbed by act 10 Of George w., COM
manoed duty Sept. 90, 1929. Although the
lundering and insufficient force Of police
.,ns,ables had by this time discarded their
,v,Ilov.tailed coats and their stoVepipe
hats. the city authorities, excepting for a
varv short period in 1S4s, hesitated to pro-
ida the force with any weapon whatso-
aver excepting lantern and a rattle.
Even as late as 1860 the metropolitan
,oliee force numbered only !, POO constAbles,
although the city had over 100000 inhabl-
tsnts At present its total strength is Ia ,081 i,
maintained at a cost Of a little over Gl,
an 600 1855. 900, 600. This civilian army was
nrsctically founded by the second Sir
Robert Peel while home secretary, and was
bitterly opposed in the outset by a large
section OF the public press. The London
noljce force, once q national scandal, has
low become, however, the pardonabie pride
. II every inhabitant Of the city.
What l write is intended in no sense to
he a criticism Of our own splendid organiza-
F hon under Supt. Byrnes, but it seems
reasonable that the two great English
spesking countries should study each others
Institutions and profit by whatever is best
+ in both.
POLITICS ELIMINATED.
At the head Of this army of IA, 600 police
Is a single commissioner called the chief
commissioner of police. He Is appointed
by the queen and holds his office for life. A
general in the army Of twenty years
standing Is always selected for the
pla ce-some soldier who has distinguished
himself for his executive ability. The pres
ent chief commissioner is Sir Edward Brad
ford, < c. B., K. @. 8. T., who organized
the king Of Persia's cavalry some years ago.
His salary is 92, 500 OF $l2,500. The COM
missioner has the appointment of three as
sistant commissioners at a salary OF e., 500
49, 500 and allowances Of about $500 year
extra. These assistants are chosen from
the ranks of barrlstsrs who have distin.
guished themselves for upward OF twelve
years 10 the criminal courts. Next in rank
come four chief constables, who likewise
must be chosen from the list of army Of
fcers in good standing.
There is strictly no politics in any Of these
appointments, and they are all for life or
during good behavior. it would seem fit-
ting 10 put an experienced army officer at
the head OF such body of men, and espe-
cially fitting to join with him as his assist
tsnts three experienced criminal lawyers.
In addition 20 the IA 900 uniformed police
there are 800 detectives and 500 mounted
police. The department breed all their own
horses, and they board In barracks-all
bachelors belonging to the force-At l shill.
ing week.
STRICT DISCIPLINE.
The pay of an ordinary constable Is from
80 TO 81 shillings Isl so to 49, a weak. The
detectives or inspectors receive el85 1925
syear and 95 1925 advance for each year
Of service for ten years aud then e10 ad-
vance for the next fifteen years. After
twenty-five years service they are pensioned
Ter life on two"thirds pay. The surgeants
OF police receive As shillings ($ll 25l q week
and are only chosen from the ranks of CON
stables. Every one connected with the
force, excepting the commissioner and his
assistants and four chief oonstables. must
rise in the service from the lowest ranks.
No ordinary policeman is allowed to carry
revolver except in the suburbs, where re-
volvers are handed to the men when going
out on duty, and are inspected each morn
ing to see if any shot has been fred. Each
officer must likewise report each use of his
stick or truncheon. There is almost no
drunkenness found among the force. Most
OF the men are recruits from the country
and are farmers sons. Any policeman
found intoxicated off service is put back
from two to three years in rank and paw,
and II found drunk while on service is dis.
charged at once.
While | was In London and enjoying the
courtesy of Scotland yard one of their valu-
able detectives was discovered intoxicated
"hen OH duty. he was reported to the
commissioner and summoned before him
the following morning. This man happened
70 Dc tavorite OF the superintendent at
scotland yard, Mr.. Shore, who interceded
N MS behalf before the commissioner He
nau never been reported for any prior
neglect during his long term of serv-
ICES out had on the contrary, been Of
great service TO the department on account
VI us huency In speaking four languages.
commissioner Bradford said that his dis
position was to discharge at once, but owing
" tne excellent character given the man by
vac superintendent he would consider the
case Tor three days, at the end Of which
Itns be decided to set the detective back
snree years in his class and suspend him
A ny al leave Of absence for two years.
nus, was told, was the equivalent In
money OF a fine Of Eos. or 1925. From this
~ Instance one can obtain very correct idea
VI tne discipline enforced under the present
oalet commissioner.
NO STREET BLOCKS.
Z. any one visiting London for the first time
=" - sstunned on week days by the tourbilion
~ movement IN its streets and the constant
ealies at all the great crossings in the whirl-
boot OF Its business life such as no other CITY
% sne world can show. 1t Is estimated that
S H,eI %V'OOO vehicles pass the Bank OF Eng
s auu each day. Such thing as block or
~ opPage In the stream OF vehicles for more
30 a moment Is never allowed to occur,
ian auAs 70 the skillful management of the DO
is 'o un1er the present perfect system There
a. a" ouicer at nearly every street corner,
.1 any caoman or driver who advances a
Saiu beyond the appraised hand Of the officer
a. may expect to have his number taken and
Jr Iea Saln 70 have go fine to pay. If he
NJ, LIVES nome his license Is forfeited. This is
a., to RUE simply, for the law is invariably
ordor ceu ana the consequence is absolute
. olIer ana freedom from blocks. The police
SI,uoLh use force. 1t is not necessary In a
f.T Where the laws are enforced with un-
aoIi'ng promptness and certainty, In con-
oequence perhaps the most unruly class of
, t4en IN the world, the London cabbies. stand
~ absolute awe Of the police. This feeling IL
onareu equally by all tradespeople. 1 was
assured on the best of authority that tbara