118. Prevention of crime and maintenance of law and order. [§ 12, Act V, 1861].
- The first and most important duty of the police is the prevention of crime and the maintenance of law and order. The great mass of crime consists of offences against property, against which the police can afford a large measure of protection, either directly by regular and efficient patrolling, or indirectly by the exercise of a proper surveillance over bad characters. To obtain a knowledge of the persons addicted to crime and to maintain adequate supervision over them should be the aim of every member of the force.
