Emoluments, Gratuities, & Tips

[Mike McLellan]

I read, years ago, that for the Metropolitan Police, in the early days, the justification for the low pay for police officers was the expectation that the hardest working officers would be able to supplement their incomes with rewards or gratuities from grateful citizens, for the return of stolen property, extraordinary security, or other crime deterring practices. This was the practice in earlier attempts at policing London, but was also a cause of fairly wide spread corruption among the thief-takers and hireling constables of that era. I have to presume that, under the watchful eye of Richard Mayne, a formal procedure of accepting and distributing these emoluments would be strictly adhered to. 

Attached is a copy of a typical page of Metropolitan Police daily orders. Can anyone explain how the system of gratuity disbursement actually worked? The orders do not name officers involved. Also, can anyone shed any light on the steps leading up to the decision to end the practice altogether? Was there any wide-spread corruption?  Jealousy among officers who didn't get a share? or criticism from the public? Any information or opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks, Mike 

 

 

Or... is this document referring to something entirely different?

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by Mike McLellan
There their they’re.