PEEL HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 20

PEEL HOUSE

>•■ —. TRAINING "BOBBIES" FORCE SPIRIT FIRST Few people who admire tho London constable know anything of Peel House, Westminster, S.W., where hundreds of shy youths aro daily learning the lessons that will make them worthy members of a great force. There is nothing heavy or stodgy about the young police recruit to-day. Tho old-time policemen has given way to men who can think and act quickly. All the men at Peel Houso are there because their mental faculties are in keoping with their physical fitness Brawn is no longer the only recommendation for a police career. ; Before a recruit begins the ton weeks' training which is necessary to qualify him to wear a polieo constable's uniform for tho first time, he is examined both medically and mentally at Scotland Yard. On Mondays ana' Tuesdays recruits arrivo at Peel House, where they are seen by the senior officers, Superintendent Abbiss and Chief-Inspector Frankton. Prom this stage until they pass out, a programme evolved by long experience is followed by every successful recruit. From the first, tho spirit of the police fores is inculcated into every man, and when tho course is entered on all are determined to bid for a place on tho roll of honour. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. Every subject useful to the policeman is taught by practical men. For tho first five weeks the men pass from stage to stage under the direct control of sergeant-instructors. When the more intricate work, involving^ among other things a knowledge of the law of evidence, is reached, a senior officer takes command. Models of all types of mechanically propelled vehicles are daily in use for instructional purposes, and suppositions accidents and offences enable tho teachers to bring home their lessons. In this manner, the student is taught everything that has a bearing on the Motor and Traffic Acts. Peel House recruits work from 9 a.m. to 12.15 -p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. on the day's schedule. The zealous student studies his book long after the day's work is officially closed, and voluntary evening classes are held, where teachers are always available to help him in his difficulties. Items which appear to the uninitiated trifling matters are given serious study. Evory recruit must learn the proper way to blow his whistle, and how to handle his" truncheon." The right way to arrest a violent prisoner without injury to anyone is the work of the drill instructors, who are expert equally in boxing, defence exercises, and physical jerks. . ...... j A FINE TEST. Observation is naturally one of the strongest features at Peel House. Probably 30 recruits are sent to roam aimlessly about the courtyard while their colleagues attempt to '.' arrest" a described man in turn. Each student fails if ho cannot pick out his man in three minutes. As tho" recruits near the end of the course many develop an unerring instinct for spotting tho right man. Tho men are not too long at tho same task, and a period of blackboard work in tho classroom may be followed by physical exercise and mock accidents, burglar hunts, pickpocket arrests, aiicl other work that keeps the-"men keen on their, work.. ....:.: Every recruit enjoys the •"" policecourt, " where the subdivisional inspector acts as a kindly but iirm magistrate, with a sergeant'instructor ■■ as the prisoner. Each recruit in his-turn acts as-the policeman who makes; a" charge. The "magistrate" corrects his mistakes for the. benefit of the class, and the ''prisoner" demands and receives' fair play. The "police court" is the culminating scene in a series in. which the "policeman" makes an .arrest, then charges his prisoner aj; the police station, and finally- carries the case to court. ■, ■ . The young constable is on probation for a year, and on joining his division enters jipon a further course of instruction for a minimum period of six months, under the direct supervision of the chief inspector.