Time conduct of constables in reference to public-houses is of some importance. It is an offense in publicans and beer-house keepers, and indeed the keepers of all places of public resort, to refuse to admit the constable into such house or place at any time. Thus, in the case of these places being open on Sundays at the times prohibited by statute, the constable, if lie suspect that the act is being violated, may demand admittance, and thus satisfy himself as to the fact. It is owing also to this power of a constable to enter at all times, that he is enabled to detect other offenses in public-houses, such as harboring prostitutes and disorderly characters. Constables, when suspecting that a betting house is kept, must first get a warrant from a justice of the peace, which can be obtained without notice to the parties, and can then break into the house. So as to gain ing-houses. While constables have summary power of entering public-houses, still this is not to be abused; and it is a distinct offense in the keeperS of all public places where wine, spirits, beer, cider, or any fermented or distilled liquors are sold on the premises, to knowingly harbor, or entertain, or suffer to remain there such constables during the time they arc on duty, except when quelling disturbances or restoring order. It is an offense punishable with more than usual severity to assault constables when in the execu tion of their duty. Though constables are paid in great part by each county and borough, and thus by the public at large, it is often requisite for individuals to vequire the services of extra constables, in which case such individuals must pay for them at their own expense, as is usual in theaters and lari,se establishments. Of late years, considerable complaint had been made as to constables interfering in the protection of game-pre serves and fisheries, it being considered that the owners of those properties ought to bear the extra charge, if required, of the constables' giving more than ordinary attention to poachers. But by the recent act, extended powers of detecting poachers of game were given to constables, who are now entitled, whenever they suspect people on the high way of being engaged in poaching, to stop and search them, and then summon the poach ers, if necessary, before justices. Sec POACHING.
Iu 1875 the total police and constabulary in England and Wales amounted to 28,286 men. These are subdivided into chief constables of counties, 60; head constables of boroughs, 158; superintendents, 483; inspectors, 976; sergeants, 3,064; constables, 23,529; additional constables, 801. The proportion of policemen to the population is about 1 to 800. In 1872 the total police expenses amounted to £2,372,880, of which £504,453 was paid by her majesty's treasury, and £79,600 out of the superannuation fund. In the estimates for 1878-79, the total expenditure on the police force of the United -Kingdom was entered at :C2,543,235. It is noticeable that in the same year in which the clothing and accouter ments of the police cost £177,678, the station-house charges, printing, and stationery amounted to £187,372. The public revenue pays nothing toward the city of London police: it pays all the cost of the dock-yard police; it pays nearly one-fifth of the other branches of the police.
In Ireland, the first regular police force was established in 1814, which was improved in 1836 and 1839. Originally, the expense was defrayed out of the consolidated fund; but in 1846 the whole expense was borne by.the consolidated fund, with trifling exceptions. In 1874 the total cost of the constabulary of Ireland amounted to .£1,081. 467, which included items of expenditure; such as pensions, gratuities, rent of barracks, horses, forage, arms, anununition, pay, and clothing. The number of constables in 1875 was 11,164.
In Scotland, during the year eliding Mar., 1875, the police force for the counties was 1160, and that for the burghs was 1915; total, 3,075. In addition to this number, the Tweed commissioners paid for 27 constables; 12 more are paid by other fishery commis sioners, 20 employed by companies or private persons, and 161 by harbor boards.