A TACTFUL POLICE CHIEF

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1929, Page 7

A TACTFUL POLICE CHIEF

(By li. G. Gardozo.) I'AUIS, Nov. 20. AL Joan Cliiappo, the Paris Prelect of Police, is earning a reputation for himself hv his will and 'firmness, allied with (act and courtesy, which bids fair to rival that of Al. Lepine, the famous prefect of a generation ago. Just fifty years of age, he ''came from Corsica when yet a youth and immediately entered the Civil Service, where he rose two years ago to the responsible post of Director ol the Surcte Generale, which would correspond in England to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, with the Special Branch thrown in. At that moment there was discontent in the ranks of the French uniformed police, and many changes ol the high officials concerned had not improved matters. ft was felt that with the distinct revolutionary menace of the Communists it was necessary to find a strong hand to restore confidence and discipline. M. Cliiappo has had the most astounding success in his efforts. Extended telephone services, wireless telephones for use in cases of riots Or emergency, speed motor cars and sidecars have all helped to make the Paris police force one of the most scientific and efficient in the world. M. Chiappe is now, perhaps, second to M. Poincare alone, the best-known man in Paris. Short of stature and thick set, with a smiling clean-shaven face, ho wears a silk hat oftener than any other man excepting President Doumergiie. He wears it well hack on his head, and as ho Ibustles hero and there, always with a smile even in the midst of some dangerous Communist manifestation, lie makes a figure which can never be forgotten. When AL Loon Daudet, the wellknown Royalist leader, had to lie arrested there was grave danger of serious street lighting. The Royalists had barred and blockaded their headquarters in the rue de Rome, near the Gare St. La/.a re, and some five hundred stalwart young men were preparing fo defend the liberty of their leader with their own lives if necessary. A mistaken word or gesture might have cost hundreds orf lives. M. Cliiappo had the building surrounded by troops and armed police and then alone lie stepped forward and asked to speak to bis prospective prisoner. M. Daudet appeared at a window and AL Cliiappo very quietly appealed to him as a patriotic Frenchman not to allow blood to be sited on bis behalf. The few tactful words were sufficient, and M. Daudet, calling on Ids followers to put aside their arms, came down and walked away arm-in-arm with the Prefect of Police.