The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-14
ENGLAND'S POLICE PROBLEMS
The Recent Bill Forbidding Policemen to
Join a Labor Union Which Led to
the Strike in Liverpool.

The presentation of the first report Of
the committee on the police service, fol-
lowed this week by the introduction and
second reading of bill by the homt
secretary, marks a substantial advance
in the movement for police reform. Lord
Desborough and his colleagues on the
committee have done their work expedi
tiously and well, and in commercially
sympathetic spirit They recognize IN
effect that, in the past, the police of all
ranks have been unfairly treated. Pc.
lice officers stand in special relation
ship TO the community they have very
special responsibilities placed upon thera
and, by reason of their office, they suffer
ertain social disabilities. Their duties
are often more arduous than is common
ly understood, and involve considerable
strain upon health. A policeman must
have an unbIemshed character, and the
committee rightly observe that should
possess "a combination of moral, men,
tai and physical qualities not ordinarily
required in other empIoyments. He has
greater burden Of individual dscre-
tion and responsibility than any other
public servant Of subordinate rank.
While these very large demands are
made upon the police, the rank and file
have in the past been paid upon the
scale applied TO agricultural laborers or
unskilled workers, their only real advan-
tage being an exiguous pension. 1t is
not astonishing that discomfort has been
so rife among them.
Lord Desborough's committee have
dealt with the problem in manner
which, we think, will meet with public
approval. They have laid down the
principle that all ranks of the police
must in future be we'll paid and we'll
treated, and have suggested scales oil
pay and pension which should remove
grievances The committee were not at
tracted by the popular remedy of ma
tionalization," They point out that the
duty of maintaining order rests with the
local authorities and that it is not de.
sirable to make the police a national
force. They consider, however, that the
pay of the lower ranks should be stand.
ardized throughout Great Britain. They
recommend that constables should begin
at 10 shillings weekly, rising eventually
to 90 shillings, with further small incre-
ments for very long service The pay Of
the higher ranks il to be raised in pro-
portion, and a very important feature of
the scheme is that the increase is to be
retrospective and to date from April l.
Houses or quarters, or a house allowance
are in future to be provided for all ranks
Police officers of all grades may retire
on half their pay after % years service
or on two.thirds of their pay after 30
years service The pension concessions
have been criticized, but we believe the
answer is that, chiefly by reason Of ex.
posture and night work, the physical ef-
ticiency of a police officer generally un.
dergoes notable decline after the age Of
u.s.
Mr.. SHORTS bill precludes police Off
GERS from joining trade union, under
extremely severely penalties; but it pro
vides for a police federation "on a demo
cratic basis" for all officers below the
rank of superintendent. The measure
will put an end to the intolerable anon
ally Of the police union, but the terms
offered to the force are so generous that
they will assuredly be accepted with
alacrity-London Times