DMP calls for ‘voluntary’ constables to patrol Dublin streets

Dublin, 16 December 1919 - The Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued an invitation to citizens to undertake voluntary police work.

The Chief Commissioner, in a communication issued this week, states that the city of Dublin is ‘at present insufficiently guarded by night for the protection of property, with the result that robberies and outrages are increasing. For the safety of citizens, the number of patrols should be increased’. The notice added that it was proposed to achieve this by ‘inviting the aid of special constables’.

It is understood that the Lord Lieutenant has granted permission to approach civil servants with regards to filling the roles. However, no circular has been sent to civil servants as yet, despite having been received by the various heads of departments.

The Dublin Evening Mail is reporting that there is no intention of a compulsory enrolment of civil servants, although in view of the number of loyal civil servants employed, it is not expected to be difficult to secure the requisite number of volunteers.

However, one clerk interviewed by the Irish Independent, was less than impressed by the prospects of voluntary service: ‘What about ex-policemen, of whom there are thousands? Why not call them up? Then there are many demobilised officers who cannot find employment; why not call them and pay them for the duty?’

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]