A set of
rules for the self-government of police-officers was nailed on the door,
between twenty and thirty in number, and composing a system of
constabulary ethics. The rules would be good for men in almost any walk
of life; and I rather think the police-officers conform to them with
tolerable strictness. They appear to be subordinated to one another on
the military plan. The ordinary constable does not sit down in the
presence of his inspector, and this latter seems to be half a gentleman;
at least, such is the bearing of our Southport inspector, who wears a
handsome uniform of green and silver, and salutes the principal
inhabitants, when meeting them in the street, with an air of something
like equality. Then again there is a superintendent, who certainly
claims the rank of a gentleman, and has perhaps been an officer in the
army. The superintendent of this district was present on this occasion.
The thieves were brought down from Liverpool on Tuesday, and examined in
the Town Hall. I had been notified to be present, but, as a matter of
courtesy, the police-officers refrained from calling me as a witness, the
evidence of the servants being sufficient to identify the property.
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