ON THE CRIMINAL’S TRACK.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1928, Page 4

ON THE CRIMINAL’S TRACK.

(By an ex-Detective in ‘Daily Mail.”)

Although a detective’s normal tour ot duty consists of eight hours daily, he never knows what the day has in store for him when he begins work. He may have no break in the 21 hours except for meals. The detective begins the day at the detective office by becoming conversant with v.hat has happened since his last tour of duty. “Informations,” Scotland Yard's daily “newspaper.” contains reports of crimes up to the Previous evening, the telegraph hook records the night’s important messages, and the Police Gazette, published weekly. prints the photographs and histories of suspects wanted mainly by the pro-

vincial police. The next move—apart from Scotland Yard—rests with the “D.D.T.” (divisional detective inspector). This officer is the senior detective of each of the 23 divisions. On him rests the responsibility for the efficient working of his staff. His word is law. and in times of stress he gives the signal for a brief cessation of work. He is in constant touch with his subordinates. If crime is slack a detective has a four hours break in the middle of his eight hours, and when he resumes duty in the evening he must he prepared for the unexpected happening in the night life of London. A crime may occur. a person is suspected, and the “D.D.l’s” “Go out and find him” ■means either an arrest or an anxious night of search. It is not enough for a detective to know the “crooks” of his district. Their habits, associates, and resorts must be an open book to him. and the law-abiding citizen would he amazed were he allowed to accompany the experienced detective to the places he searches for a wanted man. Ways and

moans of his own tell him if he is close to his quarry. There are hundreds of people in every division who bear spotless reputations to everyone except the detective. The motto of “Open ears and a shut mouth” brings the detective much. He knows the man who is a crook clever enough to keep clear of prison bars, but who prospers on crime. Receivers of stolen property are hard to capture but easv to know.

It is the ambition of every detective to capture a “good” man. “Good” men gain the title because of their criminal skill. Once I sent a receiver to penal sevitude. All my colleagues had known lie was a crook for years, and it was my luck to capture him when he stumhlcd.

An unsolved murder means sleepless nights for many detectives. All kinds of clues flow into the police station, and every one must be probed to the bottom. A ration allowance is the only award for extended hours of duty. A detective is liable to he. called from bed at any hour. The uniformed police are summoned to the scene of an important robbery or a murder case, but when anything comes under the heading “Crime” the Criminal Investigation Department take over the job. In a sudden emergency lie may be sent to tlie provinces without warning. He may not see bis home for days or weeks. A colleague notifies bis family.

His .colleagues at Scotland Yard work in squads under a chief inspector, and a great deal of their work is performed on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Complicated fraud cases and suspicious deaths mean many journeys to the provinces, Ireland Scotland, and often to the Dominions. The fraudulent bankrupt is well looked alter by Scotland Yard. City of London cases conic within its ken, for although the City is outside the Afetropolitii.u area, the Bankruptcy Court is not.

The wireless-equipped motor-vans of the Flying Squad are always ready for instant use. A flash to Scotland Yard from any police station ends a ear’s roving and sends it speeding to a fixed destination.