Capítulo 6: Chapter 7: Reforming the Police Force
Chapter 7: Reforming the Police Force
After Joseph finished reading the remaining documents, he discovered that the 180-plus police officers hadn't received their full salaries for four months.
Their salaries were funded 20% by the City Hall and 80% by the Chamber of Commerce. However, the Chamber often couldn't raise enough money because merchants were uncooperative, leading to partial or delayed payments.
Joseph frowned and shook his head. Sixty officers were responsible for an entire district of 80,000 people, and they weren't even being paid in full. No wonder there were 28 murders in just one month. It's also no wonder that, at the start of the French Revolution, when large numbers of citizens went to the Hôtel des Invalides to seize muskets, no one stopped them.
Everything depends on people, so the most urgent task is to solve the manpower problem.
Joseph pondered for a long time, recalling various advanced policing concepts from his previous life. He wrote four or five pages, outlining a framework for reforming the police force, and finally sighed in relief.
He put down the pen, glanced at the first point he had written—"Integrate the civilian patrols"—and called for Assistant Commissioner Bonneau, instructing him,
"Please gather all the police officers and civilian patrols in the Saint-Antoine district here tomorrow morning."
Bonneau was taken aback,
"Your Highness, you mean everyone?"
"Yes, everyone. I'll have Viscount Guizot bring in personnel from other districts to help with patrols, so you don't need to worry."
"Understood."
Joseph then turned to Aymon,
"Please arrange for someone to withdraw 20,000 livres from my personal funds."
…
As the sun rose the next day, nearly 400 police officers and members of the civilian patrols had gathered in the open area in front of the Paris Police Bureau, forming two somewhat disorganized groups.
Even though they had been told they would be meeting the Prince, who was now their boss, they still couldn't contain their nervousness and shock when they saw the handsome young man in a red double-breasted uniform and a tricorn hat standing on the wooden platform in front of them.
At exactly 9 a.m., with the sound of drums, Joseph raised his hand and said loudly,
"Good morning, gentlemen. I'm not one for wasting words, so I have only three points. Please listen carefully."
Though his voice was youthful, his presence was commanding:
"First, from now on, all civilian patrols in the Saint-Antoine district will be integrated into the police force and become official police officers. Of course, those who don't want to join won't be forced."
The civilian patrol members erupted in disbelief!
In Paris, the reputation of the police might not be stellar, but it was still an official government position with status and authority! For these self-organized patrol members, who had previously only dreamed of becoming police officers, this was like a leap to a whole new level!
Joseph gestured for silence and continued,
"Second, everyone will undergo evaluations. The assessments will include character, physical fitness, and professional skills. Based on your scores, you'll be assigned police ranks. These will be similar to military ranks and will be divided into Police Officer, Inspector, and Sergeant, with each rank having three levels. Your salary will increase as your rank rises.
"Police Officers will start as apprentices with a monthly salary of 18 livres. The salaries for Level 1 to Level 3 Police Officers will be 22, 25, and 30 livres, respectively. Inspectors will start at 40 livres."
He pointed to several wooden crates nearby,
"There are 20,000 livres here. After your ranks are assessed, you'll receive this month's salary from this fund. Going forward, your salaries will be paid in cash right here, and not a single day will be delayed."
The crowd erupted again! A salary of 30 livres was close to what a City Hall official earned. Even 22 livres was enough for a comfortable life, and it was paid in cash! The previous salary for a Paris police officer was only 16 livres, often with deductions, so they usually received only about half of that.
Everyone's eyes sparkled with excitement—this was the shine of silver coins.
They knew they had to fight hard in the evaluations! If they could achieve the rank of Level 3 Police Officer, they would save at least ten, no, twenty years of hard work!
Meanwhile, those with large bellies glanced at their bodies, already feeling anxious.
"Third," Joseph's voice cut through their thoughts, "we will implement a performance evaluation system. You'll be assessed monthly based on factors such as the crime-solving rate, number of patrols, and complaints received. If you perform well, you'll receive bonuses; if not, your salary will be docked. Your performance will also be a key factor in rank and position promotions."
He looked around at the assembled group,
"That's all I have to say. I believe everyone supports this.
"Now, begin reorganizing and evaluating on the spot. The reorganization must be completed within ten days!"
"Yes, sir!" The crowd immediately erupted in a deafening cheer.
The former civilian patrol members were flushed with excitement, their hands trembling. Cries of "Long live the Prince!" echoed one after another.
They never expected that their fate would change so dramatically in just one unexpected gathering today. It was clear that their future would now be filled with hope!
To them, the Prince had already become a savior, radiating divine light, and hundreds of them silently swore to work with all their might to repay the Prince's great kindness!
Soon, several of the Prince's guards arrived, each selecting dozens of police officers and leading them away to begin the reorganization.
To Joseph, these measures seemed ordinary by modern standards, but in the 18th century, they were groundbreaking concepts—standardized organization, specialized roles, performance evaluations, and rewarding the capable were all revolutionary improvements.
In the original course of history, it wasn't until decades later that the brilliant Napoleon began police reforms, and even then, he only implemented half of what Joseph was doing now, yet it still became a model for all of Europe.
Two days later, the residents of the Saint-Antoine district began noticing some new things.
At the entrance to every street, wooden boxes with slits at the top were hung, with large letters painted on them: "Police Complaint Box." Next to them were instructions in smaller text—any dissatisfaction with the police could be written down and placed in these boxes. The Police Commissioner would personally review and handle them. The results would be made public immediately.
In many areas with heavy foot traffic, large wooden structures were being erected. According to the carpenters, these were security kiosks ordered by the police department, where officers would be stationed around the clock, ready to support patrolling officers at any time.
(End of Chapter)
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