HOAXING THE POLICE HEAD.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3139, 16 October 1922, Page 8

HOAXING THE POLICE HEAD.

(Bv George licnwick, Berlin). The ‘‘Captain of Koepenick” Inis hadl many imitators, and the difficult role was 'again amusingly and cleverly sustained for Hours a few days ago at the Berlin Police Presidency! Late the other night when the ‘ Blue Peters"— for that is the German name for “Black Marias”—rumbled into the courtyard of the Police Presidency from various parts ol the city with the police “bag” for the day. it was noticed that a very severc-lookmg man in civilian clothes sat beside the driver of one of the vehicles. Some police officers, watching the arrival of the prison vans, were curious to know who he was, and asked the driver. They were told that the man had mounted the “Blue Peter ’ when it called at a. suburban police station. Hu had informed the driver that he was a police official, supporting the statement by showing the “button which such personages generally wear, as a, rule, under the lapel of the coal, and he had told the driver which route to take. The driver, having been brought up in a “good old” school, obeyed orders. The unknown man, alter having had a look round the courtyard, entered the Presidency, where ho called for the chief officer in charge, to whom he described himself as “a. representative oi the Communist party and a police inspector,” who had come to make a. thorough inspection of the place. Again the “button” set doubts at rest—or, rather, did not allow doubts to arise He then started on a round of the colls, accompanied by several officers. and soon everything in general was being very severely criticised. Why had this prisoner no bed That one was obviously ill, and ought to be in the hospital. He gave instructions that another should have a proper meal, and roundly eondemnod the prison administration for keeping several men in gaol at all. He ordered their immediate release. Matters by this time looked serious, and the officials were still more alarmed when the inspector asked for the chief prison official. He was in bed. Well, have him pulled out of it. Ho must come at mice. The visitor was obeyed, and when the disturbed official came on the scene he was the object of most severe reproof and condemnation. Then several other officials were called, and one of them asked to see the visitor’s “button.” Again the Japol was turned back, but this particular official took a closer look at it than the others had done. A smile spread over his face; then ho laughed. But in a couple of moments he became his official self again, and promptly handcuffed the daring visitor. The “button” was not unlike the official disc, hut the closer look revealed on if the words: “Remember Upper Silesia !” It was merely a button issued by some political propagandist society! The man proved to he a Berlin tailor, whose mental condition is not altogether normal. Luckily, the prisoners ho had ordered to be released were not set. free before lie was unmasked.. He will be charged with attempting to free prisoners, and with falsely representing himself to bo an official.