The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19
SOCIAL DIVERSIONS OF POLICE.
MEN.

recently that he Intended to make Q mod
ification in the fixed post system that
would benefit patrolmen and make thar
work easier and moro congenial. The
Commissioner, according TO q published
account, declared that the present system
is too exacting and that the system
could be modified so that II would b
more agreeable for the men and at the
same time retain it's efficiency.
This will be pleasant news to police.
men In general and to those stationed
on Washington Heights in particular.
No matter what a modification Of thu
present system may mean for policemen
In other sections Of the city. II means
that policemen on the Heights will not
be assigned for hours at . stretch 70
fixed posts. where they are expected to
be when the sergeants make their tours.
Relieved of tho responsibility Of remain:
ing on fixed post during the specified
hours policemen would have more time
to themselves. they would receive more
leg exercise. they could move from cor.
ner to corner, and above all. they would
have more time to converse with their
young women friends.
The policemen on Washington Heighto
would welcome a change In the present
fixed post system for any Of the reasons
stated above; they would particularly
desire change so that they could de-
vote more time to conversing with their
friends. generally young women. The
present fixed post system does not per.
nit this pleasure. for the reason that
policemen are not supposed to leave
their posts In the middle Of the street
to speak to anybody except In case Of
necessity. and they are not supposed to
indulge In conversation with Q civilian
while on fixed post. OF course there
are patrolmen who violate the rules
and they lay themselves open to charges
and fines.
II Is a serious offence to leave the
fixed post and converse with some ona
Usually this offence u the result OF the
decision OF the officer to take . chancs
and satisfy his desire for conversation.
He realizes the chances he takes. but
he Is perfectly willing to take them.
on the other hand. Il Is often impossible
for policemen on fixed post to refuse
the advances made to them by civilians
who do not understand that by engag-
!nr In conversation with . policeman on
duty they are placing that policeman In
very awkward position. The police
man wishing to make all the friends he
possibly can does not wish to appear
curt by refusing to converse. At the
same time the policeman realizes that
he Is violating one Of the rules. and
while he converses he must keep sharp
lookout for the sergeant. who Is apt TO
appear unexpectedly. report the police
mans offence and have him brought up
on charges. The fact that civilian be-
Kan the conversation Is not taken a. An
excuse for a violation OF the rule.
II the fixed posts were abolished or
the hours shortened II would greatly
reduce the chan Of policemen being
caught converslng while on duty. 1t
Is an extremely difficult matter to con-
verse on fixed post with civilians and
prevent the sergeant from discovering
the violation when he makes his rounds.
The great d.n1culty lies In the inability
OF the policeman to screen himself whilc
violating the rule. Stationed In the
/ middle OF the street. where there Is no
shelter OF any sort. II Is practically I'm
/ possible for the policeman to carry on
/ his conversation except at great peril
TO himself. His position makes him
very conspicuous for naturally the at
. IGNITION Of every one Is attracted by the
sight Of figure standing In the street.
Inc desire lot CONVERSATION mas ucch
a weakness Of New York policemen for
years ~ doubt the occupation is more
or less lonesome at some hours of the
night and policemen need companions
70 make the work congenial The police
men on Washington Heights appear 10
+ he very particular In their selection.
You do moi discern them standing on
the corners speaking with old fogies;
4 but YOU do notice them standing some
/ feet down from the corners speaking to
young women, who appear to derive
great amusement from convers!ng with
the men In blue and brass buttons.
Probably no one can tell whether
the policemen are to blame or whether
The young women are the cause OF the
, pol!ccmen's detection. 1t Is well known
fact, however that young women are
attracted by the uniform and perhaps
D the policemen are not to blame at all
Certainly no one can condemn the po-
.Cemen II they canno. escape the ad-
vaHces Of the sirens who want them TO
converse, and what Is poor policeman
going t. do II he assiduously tries to
10 his duty and Is eusuared by fair dam
Sc,s and made to converse for an hour
NJ a timeo The only solution of this
prubl, m seems to be to charge the dam
els with d!s0rderly conduct and lodge
'hrm In coils.
A. any rate, no matter who Is to
Nam" the policemen on Washington
Heights are great copversers and they
are critical in their selections. " In
whispered that some young men of the
section have migrated to other parts OF
Greater New York, where the attraction
of policemen for the fair sex IL not 30
great as on Washington Heights. When
you mention these rumors to the men
In blue they simply laugh. but do not
take umhraEe a. your remarks
Here Is phase Of the case which
is not so Pheasant to behold" remarked
an ancient resident Of Washington
Heights, who knew the section when
the mon in blue did not exert the
powerful influence on young women
they do at present. IF the fixed post
sy4tcm j. abolished or modified TO the
cyfor' that policemen Will not CON
stautly ne on duty at specified places.
/, IS going TO be "A difficult matter to
md a policeman In case OF necessity.
some 81 th,m VIII disappear down the
street To- points where the light from
the street lamp does not Dpnetrate and