One hundred years ago
THE Committee appointed after the Socialist riot to inquire into the orga- nisation of the Metropolitan Police, has made a wise Report, which says in many words that the force, if wisely managed, is a good and strong one. It needs guidance, not reorganisation. To im- prove this guidance, the Committee recommend that the immense area of London should be divided into four districts, each placed under a Chief Constable, who is to be usually a military officer, and to be directly re- sponsible to the Chief Commissioner. That is, we believe, sound advice; and if a regiment of mounted men were added, to act usually as patrols, but to form the reserve in all cases of antici- pated riot, the police would for the present be sufficiently 'reformed'. Un- like most forces in this country, it has too few superior officers.
The Spectator, 9 October 1886
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