Police protest appointment of military officers
Liverpool Daily Post Thursday January 23, 1919
Members of the Bootle Police Force who are in the Police Union are protesting against the appointment of a military officer, with no policing experience, as the new Chief Constable.
They are doing so not on personal grounds but as a matter of principle, the contention being, that however anxious the HOme Office or the War Office may be to find positions for military officers who admittedly deserve well of their country, it is unfair to men who have served, so to speak, their apprenticeship to the business.
When a vacancy occurs and it is filled in the ordinary way by the appointment of someone either in that particular constabulary or some other force, it means a general move all-round, and quite a number of men derive benefit. In the police force, as in other spheres of life, the hope for promotion is the great stimulus – take away the chance of reward for faithful and intelligent service – then what is left?
The Police Union is becoming increasingly strong and it is said to be likely that the members will actively resent any such encroachment up their preserves. It is contended that where eligible candidates for a post are offering themselves it is unjust to allow outside influences to so order things that the road to preferment is barred.
Jesmond Media 