COMIC AND REAL POLICEMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 10

COMIC AND REAL POLICEMEN.

The pantomime “Bobby” and ‘'Robert” of the comio paper are arresting the enlistment. of a higher type of constable in the police forces of the country, says Sir Leonard Dunning in his report to the Home Secretary for last year, according to the Daily "Chronicle "The average quality of the candidates is not a whit better than it was years ago. . . . Some people take their impression of a policeman from the policeman of the pantomime and the comic paper, and it is possible that the chance of association with that picture and the ridicule attaching to it chokes off men whom a better understanding of police work might attract. Those who have known the service from within have to admit that that picture, with the practices which it suggests, is not entirely an invention, hut they know, too, the feeling, which is growing stronger in the service, against practices which keen the policeman lower clown the social scale than his profession deserves. Bet the Police Federation (says the .enort) adopt the resolution of one Joint Branch Board: —We suggest that all gratuities received by members of this force be submitted to the chief constable, who will decide to what charitable objects they shall be forwarded, and that the donor be so informed. General adoption of the resolution . . . will go far tc teach | people and police alike that pohVe duty is dutv to the community, not to the individual, nerformed because it is duty, and not with any view to rewards, gratuities, Chrktmas-bojtes, free food und drink.”