Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-14
SOCIETY STUNT
FOR POLICEMEN
OFFICERS ATTEND WEDDINGS
OF THE 400
ALSO GRACE OTHER AFFAIRS
Not as Guests, but as Guardians Of
Presents and Guests Property.
chief HammeI Keeps
Reserve List
ALSO GRACE OTHER AFFAIRS

Society functions are the last places
on earth where a policeman would be
looked for, yet there are numerous oc-
casions when the department is called
upon to furnish "bluecoat' as an at
tendant in an official capacity upon
some event in the social world.
To supply copper for such affairs,
one who is familiar with the usages Of
refined society and whose feet will be
kept within their place and out of the
way of the trains as they are drawn
across the floor, one who can fill the
bill without becoming too evident by
his presence or attempts at "butting''
In, is serious problem for the chief
Yet he has upon his roster several of
these Society COPS" whose services are
frequently required and It is a happy
day for them when the chief calls them
in for instructions to attend some ultra
swell ball or wedding.
Sometimes such a. one is the envy
Of other policemen, but there are those
on the force who run from such de-
tails as hare speeds from the pursu-
ing hound. The ordinary "bulI' is
aptly termed, because he would be as
much out of place in drawing room as
the bull in a china shop. but as rule
the position of first man on the $50
nj of " ota 1f toe T..
is one accounted an especial honor and
the scarcity of eligibles makes the posi-
ton secure. once gained.
Qualifications Required
Ordinarily the society "cop" is
clothed in his uniform when attending
these affairs but occasionally, when re-
quested, he is permitted to wear the
regulation evening dress. He must lie
"up" on society customs and know how
to conduct himself. He must also know
duty he is to perform and keep a per-
petual reminder before him that he is
there for duty and not as a guest.
Mingling with the guests and at
tempts at putting himself on a social
equality with them is prohibited, SO
but not a discourser upon how to
pour tea,'' manners and customs Of
the upper crust" and kindred sub
jects.
AS guardian of the display of we'd
ding presents he is a czar and Is
nIa
loss, for there are supposed to be some
few on the inside who are gifted with
the faculty Of disappearing at the
psychological moment with some costly
article in the collection and the "cop"
is supposed to see that the psychologist
cal moment does not arrive.
Duties Are Numerous
There are various duties enumerated
in the schedule book for the society
policeman, too numerous for mention,
thority on all social requirements, none
of which, it might be incidentally men
toned, is put to any practical applica-
tion as he walks his beat in Chinatown
or the Tenderloin.
Recently, as a dapper appearing
trail station to report after his return
from wedding. he remarked upon
the easy life of society policeman"
and the desk sergeant contemptuously
replied in the following strain:
Upstairs with you and get out Of
Ind dc ID n Cd,
down in Chinatown for time to get
rid of that elevated feeling.
None of your swell doings for the
old man. I especially fight shy of the
June brides affairs They are too LA
BILE to overlook the fact that you need
a feed once in while. I wasn't born
without an appetite and I'd rather have
a beat where there were half dozen
good Irish cooks who are willing to get
acquainted than all of the swell we'd
dings.
Hell get over his 'snobbery' as soon
as he misses a couple of good feeds at
those blooming June bridal affairs"
At that, the life of the society police
man" is not to be sneezed at. Aside
from other considerations. which are
not few, the policeman who performs
his duties acceptably at social func-
tions becomes in a manner acquainted
with those who are able to aid him by
influence and his rise in the service is
not always as slow as others less
favored.
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