The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-07
POLICE MUST KNOW
THEIR LITTLE BOOK
Chief RobIing Inaugurates a School Of
Instruction for His Men.
DUTIES AND POWERS ARE OUTLINED
The Learning They Must Master Is
Spread Out Before Them in Cate-
cheticaI Form--Somc of the More
Interesting of the Questions and
Answers Culled from the Coppers'
Catechism--Their Duties Are Fully
Defined.

Chief of Police Robling has prepared
a police catechism outlining in an alb
breviated form the duties and powers
and containing such other information
as an officer should have at his fingers
ends. Appended are some questions
and answers culled from the cate
chism:
Q. What relation does policeman bear
toward the community at large?
A. He is a servant of the people from
whom emanates the power that creates
him. Every person should receive at his
hands protection and kind treatment
@. Under what circumstances may a
policeman legally make use of his baton
or club?
A. Only in self-defense.
AS TO THE USE OF HIS GUN.
@. Under what circumstances may a
policeman use his pistol?
A. He should never draw or attempt
to use his pistol except in extraordinary
cases, such as in the actual defense of
bis own or anothers life, when attacked
with deadly weapon or in active pursuit
of escaping criminals, charged with great
crimes, as murder, burglary, arson, etc
Q. Has a policeman authority to ar ;est
a person on suspicion?
A. Yes; IL he should see person prowl-
ing around Especially during the night
| time), carrying a bundle or other pack
age; but the policeman must be careful
that his official zeal get not the better
of his judgment in such cases. The man.
ner. actions and conversation of sus-
pected persons, are the only things which
can establish legal grounds for suspicion
against them.
Q. If an assault, or other violation of
law be committed, but not in his pres
ence, has a policeman authority to al
rest the person or persons accused?
A. No; except in certain cases as di-
rected in the Instructions, but he should
instruct the complainant to make COM
plant in the proper form, have a war
rant issued thereon and executed as soon
as possible.
Q. Should a prisoner escape from GUS
today has a policeman the right to pursue
and re-arrest him?
A. Yes, and in case of felony, If the
fugitive takes refuge in a house, the
doors may be broken open after demand
for admission is made and refused, and
the policeman gives notice to the occu.
pants of his office and his business.
PRISONERS CONFESSIONS.
q. Should a prisoner be desirous of
| making a statement or confession, ought
the policeman caution said prisoner
against eliminating him or herself?
A. Certainly not; the officer must
| neither coerce nor dissuade prisoner de-
string to make any statement, but at
tentively notice every expression used,
which may further the ends of justice
and be prepared to repeat the same
when required.
Q. Are policemen allowed to stand
talking to each other or to citizens in
the street while on police duty?
A. No, unless in the discharge of police
duty.
Q. Is it the duty of an officer to give
his name and number when asked?
A. Yes.
Q. OF what interest is it to a police
man if complaint against a person
| charged with an offense against the law
ty him is dismissed by his superior Of
ficer, or by the court?
A. None, whatever. A policeman's
DUTY is accomplished when he presents
his prisoner at the station. When charge
| is entered 1t becomes the further duty
or the policeman to attend the court and
report his testimony in the case. No
intelligent and conscientious officer, hav-
ing knowledge of his relation to So
| ciety. will say ought to aggravate the Of
| Tense or increase the punishment.
q. What are the essential reuuisities
of a good policeman?
A Honesty, truthfulness, sobrietv
courage, intelligence, good morals, good
temper promptitude, impartiality, and
pleasant address.
Each officer is supposed to acquaint
himself thoroughly with this cate
chism so that he will be able to an
sWer any question propounded fully
and intelligently.