Reorganizing the Police Force (Seeking Investment)

After going through the remaining documents, Joseph learned that the more than 180 police officers had not received their full pay for four months.

Twenty percent of their wages came from City Hall, while the Chamber of Commerce covered the remaining eighty percent. Yet the Chamber of Commerce often could not raise enough money because merchants refused to cooperate, so the police officers' wages were docked.

Joseph frowned and shook his head. Sixty-odd men overseeing a district of 80,000 people, and their wages were in arrears... No wonder there were twenty-eight murders in a single month. No wonder that, at the beginning of the French Great Revolution, when crowds of citizens stormed Les Invalides to seize muskets, no one had stopped them.

Everything depended on people. It seemed the most urgent matter was solving the manpower shortage.

Joseph pondered for a long while, recalling one advanced policing concept after another from later generations. He then filled another four or five pages, laying out the framework for reforming the police force, before finally letting out a long breath.

He set down his pen, glanced at the first item he had written—reorganize civilian patrols—and summoned Bonneau, the Police Commissioner's assistant, ordering him:

"Gather every police officer and civilian patrol in the Saint-Antoine District. Have them assemble here tomorrow morning."

Bonneau froze at that. "Your Highness, you mean... everyone?"

"That's right, everyone. I'll have Viscount Guizot transfer people from other districts to help with patrols. You needn't worry."

"Yes, sir."

Joseph then turned to Eman. "Send someone to fetch 20,000 livres. Take it from my private estate."

When the sun rose again, nearly four hundred police officers and civilian patrol members had gathered in the open space before the Paris Police Department, standing in two somewhat ragged phalanxes.

Though they had been told they would see the Crown Prince today—their new superior—they still could not contain their nervousness and shock when they saw the handsome Youth standing atop the wooden platform ahead, clad in a red double-breasted uniform and a tricorne hat.

At precisely nine o'clock, to the beat of a War Drum, Joseph raised a hand for silence and called out:

"Good morning, gentlemen. I dislike wasting words, so I have only three points. Listen carefully."

Though his voice was still youthful, his presence was imposing. "First, from now on, every civilian patrol in the Saint-Antoine District will be incorporated into the Police Department and become formal police officers. Of course, no one who does not wish to join will be forced."

The civilian patrol members immediately erupted into an uproar!

One had to pay 1,000 livres to buy a police post. With one casual sentence from the Crown Prince, they had all become formal police officers?!

In Paris, the police did not enjoy a particularly good reputation, but it was still a government post with status and standing! These poor souls who had banded together for self-protection had never dared dream of becoming police officers. This was simply ascending to heaven in a single step!

Joseph signaled for silence and continued, "Second, everyone will undergo an evaluation. It will cover character, physical fitness, professional ability, and more. Based on your scores, you will be awarded police ranks—similar to military ranks—divided into police officer, Police Superintendent, and police chief, with three grades in each rank. As your rank rises in the future, so will your salary.

"Police officers will begin as trainees, with a monthly wage of 18 livres. The salaries for first-, second-, and third-grade police officers will be 30, 35, and 40 livres respectively. Police Superintendent salaries will begin at 50 livres."

He pointed to several wooden chests beside him. "There are 20,000 livres here. Once your ranks have been assessed, you will receive this month's pay. From now on, wages will be paid here in cash. Not a single day's delay."

The crowd below erupted again! Forty livres was nearly the income of a City Hall official, while thirty livres was enough to live comfortably—and it was hard cash! Previously, Paris Police earned only twenty-eight livres, and deductions were common; what they actually received was barely more than half.

Everyone's eyes gleamed. It was the light reflected from silver coins.

They had to fight tooth and nail in the evaluation! If they could earn third-grade police officer rank, they would save at least ten years of struggle—no, twenty!

As for those with great bellies, they looked down at their own figures, anxiety already rising in their hearts.

"Third." Joseph's voice interrupted their thoughts. "A performance evaluation system will be implemented from now on. You will be assessed monthly according to such indicators as case-solving rates, number of dispatches, and complaints received. Those who perform well will receive bonuses; those who perform poorly will have their wages docked. Evaluation results will also be an important basis for promotion in rank and position."

He swept his gaze over the crowd. "That is all I have to say. I trust that everyone approves."

"Now, all of you will begin reorganization and evaluation on the spot. The reorganization must be completed within ten days!"

"Yes!" A roar that seemed to pierce the sky rose at once from below the platform.

The former civilian patrol members were flushed with excitement, their hands trembling as cries of "Long live the Crown Prince!" rose one after another.

They had never imagined that a chance gathering today would bring such an enormous turn in their fate. Their lives ahead were certain to be filled with hope!

In their hearts, the Crown Prince had already become a savior, his entire being radiating sacred light. Hundreds of people silently swore that they would work themselves to the bone and repay the Crown Prince's immense kindness!

Soon afterward, several of the Crown Prince's guards ran over, each selecting dozens of police officers and leading them away to form up.

Joseph's measures might have seemed ordinary in later generations, but in the eighteenth century, they were undoubtedly the most advanced ideas—unified staffing, specialized posts, performance evaluations, and greater rewards for the capable. Every one of them was a revolutionary improvement.

Following the original course of history, it would not be until decades later that the gifted and ambitious Napoleon began Police Reform. Yet even though he did less than half of what Joseph had done, he became a model for all of Europe to emulate.

Two days later, the residents of the Saint-Antoine District began noticing many new things.

At the entrance to every street, a wooden box with a slit at the top had been hung up. Large painted words on each box read "Police Complaint Box," accompanied by smaller text—any dissatisfaction with the police could be written down and placed inside. The Police Commissioner would personally review and handle every complaint, and the results would be posted immediately.

In many densely populated areas, large numbers of wooden frames were being erected. According to the carpenters, these were security booths requested by the Paris Police Department. Police officers would be stationed inside around the clock in the future, ready at any moment to support officers on patrol.