Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1888-06-02 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE CAREER OF SUPERINTENDENT  SCOTT.  Superintendent Scott was forty five years of age, and had served the public,, in the various grades open to the police constable, for more than a quarter of a century. He was torn at the village of Hartington, in Northumberland, in 1815, and was originally a farmer. He joined the Durham County Constabulary in May, 1863, and his natural ability, aided by an earnest desire to improve himself mentally as well as physically, quickly secured him promotion. He was always a strong. stalwart man, standing 6 feet 3 inches in height, and or late years he developed that burliness of frame which often comes to those who, after long years of faithful service, attain the comparative ease of superior positions. In intellectual capacity he was' blessed in a higher degree than many of his fellows. He was an eager student, and music had manifold charms for him. After being stationed at several of the stations in the County of Durham, he was made acting sergeant on the 2nd December, 1869, and two years later was promoted to full sergeant, on the let May, 1871. While acting in the latter capacity at Spennymoor he bad a frightful case of murder to investigate, and it was due largely to his industry and skill that the four culprits were convicted. Mr Scott was afterwards appointed Inspector at Darlington on May 1, 1875--a position be filled with great credit to himself, and to the great satisfaction of his superiors, for a period of about ten years. When Superintendent Harrison was appointed to Gateshead from Jarrow Superintendent Scott was promoted to the superintendency of the Jarrow Division, which is one of the largest in the county, having four Petty Sessional Courts—Jarrow, Hebburn, South Shields, and Sunderland. On his leaving Darlington to enter upon his duties atParrow he carried with him the good-will and esteem of not only the members of the force in that town, but of the public generally. It was, we believe, in , August,. 1882, that he same to Jarrow. and during  the six years that he has had charge of the Jarrow Division the members of the :circa have been considerably increased in number as the town and villages in the district extended and became more populous. But Superintendent Scott was a man of great adminietrative capacity, and the augmented calls upon his resources, with the increased responcibility which devolved upon him, were met with a promptitude which only a skilled and thoroughly competent officer, pO3aiming a good knowledge of public requirements, could have brought to bear on the altered conditions by which he found himself surrounded. Although not faeicing in firmuess, he was yet the most kindly of men, and was generous to a degree. In the police courts he wits a well-known I figure, and, possessing a good knowledge or 1 crimffial law, he was able to conduct many dial' cult and intricate cases without the aid of counsel. But he was not a harsh proseentor, and was I ever anxious to give misdemeanant,' the benefit 1 of any doubt which might be introduced into the 1 case. We have already said that he was a 1 superior policeman, and while he could discourse with interest on topics near the hearts of police men, he was equally at home wheu conversing on subjects of a general character. his extensive reading having furnished him with a rare fanciest information. Ile was a good conversationalist, a genial companion. a firm triend, and tolerant to the fauite and failings of tho many people he was broireht into contact with in his official capacity. In the police under his own ininiediate ; care he took the warmest and sincerest interest, ' and never tired of devising means for their en- . joyment and recreation. Only at the last; Amami dinner, held a few months ago, he spoke with enthusiasm of a scheme he had projected for a gymnasium . and adding to the facilities which the constables I bad for paseing a pleasant hour. Upon his . Irepresentation, too, we believe, steps were taken only a short time ago to effect some great and 1 much-needed improvements at the Jarrow police I buildings. Outside of the force over which he I presided, and whose affairs he administered 1 with such conspicuous ability, he was well I known and greatly respected. His official position precluded his taking that part in public affairs which his abilities so fitted him to fill ; 1 hut on many occasions his advice and counsel were sought by those who knew and appreciated : ills discrimination and administrative skill. Mr I Scott was twice married, and leaves a widow and I three children.