I think that in London some two hundred Women Police might be usefully employed or the lines I have indicated, but their success will depend upon the class of women recruited, and the woman selected to supervise and direct their activities. Yours sincerely, To the Right Hon. W. C. Bridgeman, M.P. Home Office, S.W.1. (Signed) C. F. N. MACREADY. This further letter was written to Mr. Bridgeman in reply to certain queries arising out of Sir Nevil Macready's letter of 5th June, 1924. 13th June, 1924. DEAR MR. BRIDGEMAN, I have to attend a I am very glad that my letter was of some use to you. function at Notre Dame in Paris on 7th July, and hope to cross over on 9th at latest for a few weeks. As regards the other points you mention- (1) I think it is always advisable in a Force like the Metropolitan Police that the Commissioner should have a woman of superior rank at the Yard to advise him on the many points that crop up in connection with Women Police which are naturally not on all fours with the men. Otherwise he may be led into error by judging them from purely a male standpoint. The rank of the woman would depend on the number of women employed. For 100, I think rank of a District Inspector would suffice. For 200, that of Chief Inspector or Superintendent. At the Dockyards a Superintendent was in charge of comparatively few men. (2) The educated women I referred to should be enlisted in exactly the same way as the other women, and all promotions made from the ranks. On no account would I recruit" officers as a special class. Educated women might be quite suitable for the special work they might at times be put on to, but might not be suitable for promotion to higher rank, as they might lack ability in handling their comrades as sergeants and so forth. (3) When I was at the Yard we had already begun to employ the women police in C.I.D. work, and I should have extended the practice. They should be available for that work just the same as the men if they show aptitude. As regards (1), in County and Borough Forces amounting to comparatively few male or female police officers, the necessity for a woman of superior rank at the Chief Constable's Office would not be necessary. In such Forces a Chief Constable should personally be acquainted with every member of his Force, an impossibility in the Metropolitans. I had often thought that much money is wasted by the number of higher ranks in the City of London and other small Police Forces in the Kingdom. Yours sincerely, (Signed) C. F. N. MACREADY. Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, (4112) Wt. 19620-595 1m 12 24 S.E.R.. Ltd. Gp. 56. SIXTY-SIXTH REPORT OF HIS MAJESTY'S INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY FOR SCOTLAND TO THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (For the Year ended 31st December, 1923). Presented to Parliament hy Command of His Majesty. EDINBURGH: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: ADASTRAL HOUSE, KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C.2.; 28 ABINGDON STREET, LONDON, S.W.1; Cmd. 2240. or through any Bookseller. 1924. Price 3d. Net. ANNUAL REPORT OF Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. FERGUSON, C.B.E., His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, for the Year ended 31st December, 1923. To the Right Honourable WILLIAM ADAMSON, His Majesty's Secretary for Scotland. 13th September, 1924. I. I have the honour to submit my Report on the County and Burgh Police Forces in Scotland for the year ended the 31st December, 1923, and to inform you that all the forces have been efficiently maintained in respect to management, numbers, and discipline. II. During the past year His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the King's Police Medal to:(1) Mr. John Morren, O.B.E., Chief-Constable of the Counties of Roxburgh, Berwick and Selkirk. (2) Constable James Sparks, Glasgow. (3) Constable George Ferguson, Glasgow. III. There are 31 county and 27 city and burgh police forces in Scotland, excluding Orkney and Shetland which are outside the Act of 1857. The authorised strength is 6,523 of all ranks and grades. Five thousand, three hundred and seventy-two members of the forces have received ambulance instruction. The counties, with an estimated population of 2,398,349, are watched by 2,236 constables, all ranks included; the cities and burghs, with 2,524,328 inhabitants, by 4,287. This gives one constable to 1,073 persons in the counties, and one to 589 in cities and burghs. There were 194 vacancies at the close of the year. One hundred and sixty-eight "additional" constables were also employed at the sole cost of private individuals or industrial firms. The total expenditure approved for purposes of Government Grant in the local financial year was £695,552 15s. 8d. in counties; £1,344,615 15s. 1d. in cities and burghs-total £2,040,168 10s. 9d. After payment of Government subsidies, &c., a balance of £906,536 2s. 7d. was left to be defrayed from rates and other local sources. 4 There were 3,666 pedlar certificates granted in counties, and 4,922 in cities and burghs-total 8,588. This represents a sum total of £2,147, which goes towards the Police Funds. There is a detective staff of 249 officers in 11 county and 16 city and burgh forces. In 18 counties, 146 of all ranks; in 24 cities or burghs, 235 of all ranks, are mounted when required. Vacancies, by death 22, by resignations 141, by retirement on gratuities 8, on pension 168, by dismissal 21, by desertion 1, by discharge as unsuitable 6, by transference 9. Of the 141 resignations, 48 were compulsory. IV. With a view of reducing all Police expenses to the utmost extent, very little money has been expended on Police stations. The majority of the stations are satisfactory, but a few stations, both in counties and burghs, are inferior as regards sanitary arrangements, ventilation in the cells, and office accommodation. The system in counties of renting houses for the accommodation of the police is not without drawbacks-cases occur on the termination of leases or agreements where a renewal is refused, and in other cases landlords are reluctant to carry out the necessary repairs. Subject to financial considerations at the present time this points to the expediency where practicable of Police Authorities owning the houses in districts where police are likely to be permanently stationed. V. The telephone is used by all the burgh forces and in 30 counties, and found of the greatest service. VI. Bicycles are used in all the burgh and county forces; motor cycles are also used. A motor cycle with a side-car has been provided at the headquarters of several police forces. These have been found most useful. VII. The number of persons apprehended for drunkenness is 447 less than last year. VIII. There are 12,692 special constables enrolled, in counties 8,316, and in cities or burghs 4,376. IX. The number of convictions for begging was 775. X. The necessity of continuing the strictest economy in every direction remains unchanged. The number of vacancies 31st December amounted to 194, or about 3% of the total authorised strength, but the great increase in motor traffic of late years and the consequent increase of supervision on |