KEEPERS OF THE KINO'S PEACE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 114, 24 January 1940, Page 4

KEEPERS OF THE KINO'S PEACE

How much we take for granted, and how little we realise the work of tho;se civil servants whose lives are sworn to the protection of the lives and properties of all persons in the 'community, is brought very forcibly to the forei, on occasions such as this district has recently experienced. There was a minor panic in some quarters over the week-end when it was rumoured that a desperate man was at large, armed with a gun and in a state of dementia which might easily have resulted in further injuries, or tragedies involving other innocent parties. It is always during such periods of scare, that the public turns hopefully to the police. Here we have a force composed of picked men whose endless undertaking it is to ensure that the King's Peace, is not disturbed, and that delinquents thereto are speedily brought to account and the penalty for their misbehaviour sheeted home to them in full. At a moment s notice these men must be prepared to go to any part of the wide district under their control, often taking their lives in their hands. Not only must they face the most repulsive tasks without flinching, infuse tact with vigour and prosecution but they must in their everyday lives be an example to others, and maintain a dignity and a respect which will ensure a permanent position of command and control. Their work is carried out silently and efficiently. They are the personification of law. r order and protection, the office they occupy symbolising the very heart of Democracy itself. In passing, it is mete to remember the ceaseless work of that body of men who so fully deserve the title bequeathed them m the Old Country "Gentlemen Heroes of the Streets'.