A Policeman’s Lot.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 600, 2 November 1932, Page 6

A Policeman’s Lot.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I was much struck with exSergeant Jackson’s tribute to his old comrades of the police force. He will, however, be the first to admit that a policeman’s duties nowadays are not comparable with those of olden days. A higher standard of education and compulsory passes in many other matters are now demanded from members of the force. I must, however, grant him that it is seldom we see constables in our streets who in any way challenge the fine stalwart men of yore. The police force, like the staffs of the Post and Telegraph Departments, will ere long be looking for a change of name as officials, for they are so swamped with duties foreign to those originally entaoa* upon. There is one matter, however, that is exciting general indignation in the public mind concerning the treatment constables and the force receive at the hands of presiding magistrates. It is interesting to learn that I can amuse myself, with the aid of a few friends, in kicking a constable's ribs and getting off with a fine or a couple of weeks’ imprisonment. I cannot help thinking that the man who protects life and property and who was saving females and neighbours from insult and annoyance deserves something better than this. Perhaps seeing that the ages of the guilty individuals ranged only from 23 to 28 the tender-hearted magistrate was of opinion it was a case for the 44 Juvenile ” Court and marked this opinion by the mild sentences imposed. No wonder these larrikins are “ playing up ” all over our city.—l am, etc., BILL SYKES.