["Increased remuneration is attracting to the force a
more intellectual and better class of recruit.... Police
administration here is now organised in a more humanitarian
spirit than formerly, and a policeman is as much encouraged
to prevent the necessity of an arrest as to effect an
arrest."--_Sir WILLIAM GENTLE (retiring chief of the Brighton
Police Force, unofficially known as "Sir William Gentle's
Gentlemen"), interviewed by "The Daily Sketch._"]
O Robert, in our hours of crime
Certain to nab us every time,
Or, failing, fill a dungeon cell
With someone who does just as well;
Now you're a gentleman in blue
Provided with a princely screw,
More is expected of you still;
You must _prevent_ us doing ill.
No longer is it deemed enough
To slip the hand within the "cuff,"
To trap road-hogs and motor-bikes,
Or merely to arrest _Bill Sikes_.
Thus, when you take position at
The window of an empty flat,
And _Bill_ arrives to burgle it,
Urge him his evil ways to quit;
Or, posted in a public bar,
Where men drink too much beer by far,
Before them you might firmly put
The arguments of PUSSYFOOT;
Or, summoned to a scene of strife,
Persuade the fellow with the knife
By means of tactful reasoning
That murder is not quite the thing.
The world would profit if you took
A leaf from out the Parson's book,
Becoming a judicious blend
Of "guide, philosopher and friend."
Discard your truncheon for a tract;
Strive to admonish ere you act;
In Virtue's force enrol recruits
And stamp out Belial with your boots.
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