Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-29
LONDON POLICEM EN-
NECESSARY STEPS TO GET ON THE
FORCE IN WORLDS METROPOLIS.
Examination of Candidates at New
Scotland Yard-Testimoniais
as to Character.


From Tit-B.ts.
When the ambition to become a member
of the great '.blue army of the metropolis
has taken possession of the young man of
Cornwall or Yorkshire. his first step is to
fill up form of application. which is sent
to him from New Scotland Yard, and a
searching form it is.
He must give full personal description
OF himself-his age, which mus be be-
tween twenty-one and twenty-seven; his
height which may not fall below five feet
nine inches without his socks, and so on;
and he must say whether he is married or
single. what his trade is, and answer a
number Of similar questions. To these
answers are aCded two testimonials from
hCuseholdeIs who have known him for at
least five years, together with a character
from his last employer.
In London.
If all this information proves satisfac-
tory he is summoned to London. and, in
company with perhaps fifty or sixty other
candidates, presents himself at New Scot
land Yard one Tuesday morning for ex
animation of varied and searching ma
ture. First comes the medical scrutiny,
and after unrobing and covering himself
with cloak, which gives him the appear
drama, he takes his place in long pro-
cession of similarly attired novices. and
IN his turn spends ten minutes in the
company of the chief surgeon of the force.
After tor before) he has proved himself to
be perfectly sound and free from physical
blenish, his height is taken and if he
fails by an eighth of an inch to reach the
standard he may al once take his return
ticket home. for there is no place for him
in the force.
The Three RS.
Then follows an exhaustive examination
in ''tEe three RS" in which he must prove
his proficiency. and after passing this last
ordeal successfully our tyro n ay consider
himself practically assured of blue uni
fcrm But he has still much to go through
before he can wear H.
For the next three weeks he takes ,lp his
quarters at the candidates section house
in Lower Kensingston lane, in company
with his successful fellows and here while
he undergoes the process of being licked
into shape, he Is most comfortably enter
tanned with excellent food, and a billiard
rCcm, reading room and games for his
recreation when the days work is done.
Part of his novitiate he spends in learn
ing biography at the section house. and
another part i'll daily drilling at Wellington
barracks, while from the chief surgeon at
scotland Yard he learns the. mysteries of
anatomy, ambulance work, and how to adj
MUNSTER III 1.u TO the injured.
Thus he is kept very busy during his brief
apprenticeship. and that be may not be-
come too initiate 1 with his new dignity he
is revaccinated and uneergoes the chasten-
Ing of a sore arm.
After Probation.
After the probation comes an inspection
at the barracks by a chief constable, and
II the candidates satisfy the critical eve
Of this important official they are sum-
r'oned to appear before one of the COM
missioners at Scotland Yard-this time
in all the glory of their uniforms, newly
homeland there each man makes
solemn declaration well and truly to
serve the king in the responsible office of
constable for preserving the peace and
preventing robberies. and other felonies
and apprehending offenders against the
peace. and in all respects to the best of
my skill and knowledge discharge the
duties of the said office faithfully and ae
cording to law"
. The declaration completes the period Of
probation! and now our candidate NAV
consider himself a ulI-fedged constable
OF the metropolitan police force equipped
with all kinds of new responsibilities and
powers. He is drafted off to his division.
and after two weeks of station work and
attending the police courts to learn the
ropes, he is sent out on duty, ready
equally to escort a timid old lady over a
hnsy crossing or to arrest a burglar in
the dark and silent watches of the night
Here we will leave him in full enioy-
nent of his 23s. Cd a week, progressing
by shilling q week yearly to a weekly
maximum of BIS. Cd, with the prospect of
developing some day into sergeant, an
inspector, or even q Superintendent ON
400 a year, ard certainty of a comfort
able pension after from fifteen To twenty
years of faithful service