LONDON POLICEMEN.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17882, 1 October 1923, Page 14

LONDON POLICEMEN.

THE OLD ORDER CHANGING. That the London policeman is a changing type is borne out by the .Police Commissioner, states the "DailyChronicle." The old-fashioned "man in blue" is being supplanted by a xery ■ different sort of i man. The new policeman is of a higher standard of education, and a Scotland Yard official told a reporter that he has to get through much stiffer examinations for his promotion than his colleagues of a previous decade. '.'lt-ia -satisfactory to note," comments «• Commissioner Horwbod, "that the introduction of more difficult examination papers and a higher standard of marking by the Promotion Board are having effects, and the class of man promoted to -sergeant- is more' competent and vigilant than formerly. Men who have risen to the. grade of ..'inspector have been competent and satisfactory on the whole, but there was still room for improvement, and the stiffening up of the educational and professional examinations for this, grade also has produced much good. The present system enables every man of intelligence and sufficient education, coupled with ' steadiness of character, to "Mt at these examinations, ■and''so secure his opportunity to rise in the Force."

Notonly is the modern, policeman in I London' of better .education, but his uniform ,and equipment are rapidly being,modified. .-.The common "fuzzywuzzy" trousers of this cloth for winter has been replaced by a cloth "equal to that supplied to the inspectors," and a new pattern great-coat smarter and better designed for a struggle with violent prisoners has -been issued. Tho new electric lamp now being issued •ii also a boon. - The entire equipment of the Force with this has meant t*hafc shortly the last of- the old oil-lamps will be relegated to obscurity. A lighter of cape, adjusted with a throat-strap,,.is a better weather pre" tector.