Policeman believes in law and order in a curiously innocent way. He believes in it more than does the public he serves. Law and order is afterall the magic from which he derives his power, individual power which he cherishes as nearly all men cherish individual power. And yet there is always smoldering resentment against the public he serves. They are at the same time his ward and his prey. As wards they are ungreatful , abbusive and demanding. As prey they are slippery and dangerous, full of guile. As soon as one is in the policeman's clutches the mechanism of the society the policeman defends marshals all its resources to cheat him of his prize. The fix is put in by politicians. Judges give linent suspended sentences to the worst hoodlums. Governors of the states and sometimes president himself give full pardons, assuming that respected lawyers have not already won his acquittal. After a time the cop learns. Why should he not collect the fees these hoodlums are paying? He needs it more. His childern, why should they not go to college? Why shouldn't his wife shop in more expensive places? Why shouldn't he himself get the vacation at desired place? After all he risks his life and that is NO JOKE.
But usually he draws the line against accepting dirty grafts. He will tke money to let a bookmaker operate. He will take money from a man who hates getting fine for parking or speeding. He will allow prostitutes to ply their trade; for a consideration. These are vices natural to a man. BUT he will not take a payoff for drugs, armed robberies, rape murder and other assorted perversions. In his mind these attack the very core of his personal authority and cannot be countenanced.
Thats a complete reasonableness...!!
