You have recently been appointed, and are about to assume the responsibilities of an office the duties of which are much, more varied and difficult, and the trust of which is of much more importance to the public and to yourself, than is generally admitted.

You are to assume the duties of an executive officer of criminal law, of the ordinances of a great commercial city, and as a conservator of the public peace. Your acts will at all times be subject to the observation and animadversion of the public; and on the standpoint where you commence and the course which you pursue depends not only much of the welfare of the community in which you move, but the credit of the department to which you belong, and your own success at an officer and a man.

At the commencement, to not forget that in this business your character is your capital. Deal honorably with all persons, and hold your word sacred, no matter when, where, or to whom given.

If you are entrusted with the care of a beat, do not play the loafer on it by lounging in doorways or on corners, or leaning against lamp-posts, but patrol your beat continually. Make it your business to know what is doing on every part of it as far a practicable, without unnecessary interference; let no person or circumstance escape your notice, and be able at all times to give information respecting any circumstance of importance occuring thereon. Learn the people residing or doing business on your beat; protect their property; make yourself useful, and aid them in all their lawful pursuits; and, by an upright and straightforward course and a close attention to duty, endeavor to merit the good will of all good citizens. You know not how soon you may need their aid, and their favor will add much to your power and influence to do good. But in the pursuance of your duties, as much as possible avoid laying yourself under special obligation to any one; let you services rather place others under an obligation to you. You know not how soon your duties may peremptorily demand that you act in opposition to some individual interest.

Lend a willing ear to all complaints made to you in your official capacity. The most unworthy have a right to be heard; and a word of comfort to the afflicted or of advice to the erring costs you nothing, and may do much good.

In ordinary cases, if you find yourself in a position not knowing exactly what to do, better to do too little than too much; it is easier to excuse a moderation than excess. But if an act of great violence has been committed, secure the offender the first possible moment; delay increases his chances of escape. There are always plenty of willing hands to care for the party he may have injured.

Whenever it is necessary to make an arrest, and you attempt to do it, don’t fai1; but use no more force than is necessary to protect yourself and secure your man.

If you have a prisoner in custody, keep him before you; do not trust him behind; he might escape, or he might injure you; and besides, bystanders might mistake you for the criminal, being in his place. If an arrest is necessary so is care and caution.

If you are called to the witness-stand, give in your evidence clearly and distinctly, and as briefly as the whole facts can be stated. On no account let any personal feeling to creep in your testimony nor ever disgrace yourself in the eyes of the court or prejudice your case by a show of malice or an attempt to color the facts; and never give or have as a reason that you made an arrest, that “he was saucy.”

No officer can be successful or efficient in the execution of his duties unless he understands the requirements of the laws and ordinances. Spare no pains in posting yourself in these matters. Recollect that by virtue of you police commission your duties extend only to criminal laws. Every police officer should be familiar with the law or ordinance he is to execute, and he should also know enough of the civil law to distinguish between the two.

Visit the courts as often as practicable, and make yourself familiar with their rules and practices, that when called as a witness you may not appear a stranger.

Carry with you at all times a memorandum book, and let it contain some record relative to your duties every day. It will be of great value as a reference.

Let promptness mark all your acts. Don’t be the last man at roll-call or at your post of duty, nor leave your post without orders; and never keep a person waiting for you one minute over the appointed time.

In whatever duty you engage, set your mind and your face to the work, and while on duty never suffer yourself, to appear like an idle spectator. Make promptness a rule for yourself, and require it of others.

School yourself on all occasions to keep perfectly cool. Maintain a perfect control of temper, come what will; one that can govern himself can control others.

Never degrade your position by placing yourself on a level with a drunken man or a man in a passion, by suffering his abuse to get you in a passion also.

Remember that in your official duties you are continually and eminently exposed to the ten thousand snares and temptations in city life. As you value the character of the Department to which you belong—as you value your own character and happiness and the fondest hopes of your friends—Beware! Be ever on your guard. “Be not deceived nor led into temptation.”

Select your associates with care. “A man is known by the company he keeps.” You will learn to so judge others, and others will so judge you.