Chapter 2259 - 266: In the British Police System, Arthur Hastings Is God_3

What’s even more infuriating is that, from the perspective of the local police department, they are practically caught between four powers, being pushed around back and forth.

The English Poor Laws enforcers demand strict implementation, the local Magistrates request them not to cause a scene, the Home Office remains silent, and the public’s anger is entirely uncontainable.

"In my opinion, the problem isn’t illegal activity, but public sentiment," Goodie sighed. "And the police have virtually no tools to enforce public sentiment."

As soon as Goodie finished speaking, the special police meeting instantly turned into a venting session for the Police Chiefs.

"In York, we’ve even started receiving written requests from patrolmen, asking to be relocated away from the Poorhouse precincts, because officers don’t want to face situations they know they can’t resolve but must intervene."

"After every distribution day, it takes us a full two days to restore the neighborhood to a patrol-ready state. But during this period, the thefts, brawls, and other criminal cases that occur will ultimately count against us when summarized at the end of the year."

"The municipal committee has always known who to hold accountable."

"They don’t even go and check in front of the Poorhouse. If we actually pull back the police force, the council members will be unhappy then."

The voices in the conference room gradually died down.

Complaints didn’t truly cease; rather, they had run their natural course.

After everything that needed to be said was said, people would realize that these words wouldn’t immediately change anything.

Many Police Chiefs had already begun mentally preparing to leave London, return to their respective jurisdictions, and continue managing with scant police resources, continuing to navigate the precarious gap between public anger and maintaining order at the Poorhouse front door, during distribution days, and amidst public unrest.

They weren’t expecting this meeting to provide solutions.

In their view, this was more like a routine centralized report.

Presenting issues, documenting them, and then slowly letting them be digested by the Home Office and other committees.

In such a near-resigned atmosphere, Arthur finally spoke up.

"Gentlemen," his tone returned to the familiar gentle manner they were all accustomed to, "I am very grateful for your candor today."

This sentence sounded almost indistinguishable from any other meeting conclusion.

"Regarding the situations you mentioned just now, I will request the Secretariat to record them one by one and organize them into a written report. The parts involving police force allocation, patrol zone vacancies, officer fatigue, and public sentiments will all be listed separately. These materials will serve as the Police Commissioner Committee’s official internal evaluation on the current situation, submitted for the Home Office’s record."

Many subtly nodded to themselves.

This was expected.

Arthur continued, "Before this, as well as during it, I must make one thing clear..."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone at a leisurely pace: "The new English Poor Laws have come into effect, and all local police departments must still cooperate within their existing authority to lawfully maintain order with related departments. This point is non-negotiable."

Once this sentence was spoken, several Police Chiefs instinctively straightened their backs.

As expected.

"But at the same time..." Arthur changed his tone, but without raising his volume, "I will not require any officer to assume responsibilities beyond their policing duties without clear documentation and written basis. From now on, any long-term police resource occupation around the Poorhouse, frequent interventions in non-criminal conflicts, and other regional public safety risks due to cooperation with the Poor Laws must form written records and be signed off by you personally."

Arthur’s words didn’t sound like orders; instead, more like a technical advisory.

"These records will go directly into the committee archives, not stay in the local police department drawers."

The conference room fell silent for a few seconds.

"As for specific details at the execution level..." Arthur added, "The committee will later issue a guideline to clarify the boundaries of police involvement, preventing unnecessary friction escalation. You only need to ensure that all actions are traceable and procedurally accountable."

When he reached this point, his tone returned to complete calm.

"Aside from that..." Arthur gently closed his hand, "today’s meeting will not result in any additional instructions."

This sentence was almost equivalent to the signal for adjourning the meeting.

The Police Chiefs exchanged knowing glances.

No surprises, no disappointment either.

In their view, things indeed returned to square one.

What must be enacted will continue.

What must be endured will still be endured.

The approaching winter will neither delay due to this meeting.

The Police Chiefs had already started gathering their hats, with someone slightly adjusting the angle of the chair back in preparation to stand.

At that moment, Arthur hadn’t immediately announced adjournment.

He gently raised one hand; the gesture wasn’t obvious but was enough to make Rowan and Mayne pause their actions. It wasn’t a formal procedural indication; it was more like a signal used privately between individuals.

"Gentlemen," Arthur spoke again, now his tone was no longer that of the meeting itself: "Beyond all instructions, I have one personal request, hoping you can lend me a hand."

Several Police Chiefs who had already stood up exchanged glances, while officers who had just put on their hats also removed them again.

"What kind of favor?"

"Rest assured, this is not a committee resolution, nor will it form any administrative order on paper," Arthur added, "So, if you’re unwilling, you can fully refuse."

Everyone looked at each other, but eventually, they still decided to listen to what Arthur’s request was all about.