THE POLICE FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 583, 11 August 1909, Page 8

THE POLICE FORCE.

Sir,—Like many others I have.been watching the course of the present inquiry. Some weeks ago I was "given some "tips" as to what would take plaoe '.. in the different centres, and so far I must say they turned out fully as'correct as our esteemed weather prophets, and that is saying a good deal! Where it'was said some independence would be'shown it . turned up correct, and where abject sycophancy' would be exhibited, sure enough it was very visible and plain'to be; seen. (There is a lot of this sort'of'thing I am told in ererj; police force.) There are two other' plaoes (if not three) where something of the same high police qualities ' are expected.- There are some-other plaoes where it-, is supposed some of the men are foolhardy 'enough to tell the simple, truth. Will thoydare? We shall'see.. But what about those friends of humanity —the Good Templars? How is it they don't show, up?. 'It was expected in some quarters they would .be asking some pertinent questions as to . how it is there aie so 'nany: drunks and prohibited persons appearing, in our. Courts, while so very few indeed appear for. "permitting drunkenness," ior.:"supplying prohibited persons, : or'f.'persbna>-already in a'state of iutoxifcation." ' Oh, but I almost foijpt there was something said'('that .-the police...were not to follow drunks into bote's to 'see .thehi served, ,or. something 'like that."I wonder if they were expected to ,wait outside all tho time to. lock .them up. How mean to be cure —but. I am afraid in some cases they >would have to wait a long time. Ah.!, would that,' do you think, account forsome of the. police themselves getting drunk and'quarrelling, etc. ? If so, who. wai« "accessory before the-act" ?,' ; There is. a nice point for; the..lawyers, 'eh? " '. - Xow, sir, I would'be,glad if you could toll me; if the .commissioned officers in. the service are privileged' to gamble, openly all day long :at tne races,' etc. If. not, someone should see to it. . What an example for. inferiors! Mr.' Bishop should ask all tho-. inspectors the question. They can hardly deny it.,- This matter was brought under my notice by overhearing two subordinates discussing the ; matter, when one remarked: "He is not a bad sort. ■ although he, is such an inveterate gambler. Now, I always' understood the police" went to the races to. dp duty—suppressing gambling, . and other ' corrupting practices—not to encourage such--by. their example'. But perhaps' this is, simply, another :form of "modernism."—l am, etc.. . , - ". , CURIOUS. August .2, 1909. ' t