In short, he is a match for the stupid, small-brained criminal, but he is of little use when society bids him capture gentlemanly rogues with plenty of money, ingenuity, and address.
It is, however, unavoidable that, if crime is to be tracked, there should be a set of policemen acting in secret.
It is obvious to what dangers the men who are thus employed must be constantly exposed.
The atmosphere in which they live is not a wholesome one.
They have to mix in an insidious manner with the criminal classes—to resort to all sorts of tricks and stratagems in order to collect particulars which could not be obtained in a straightforward way.
Moreover, men in such a position have a great deal of power in their hands, and may be tempted to use it nefariously, by making terms with those after whom they are sent, and by giving them hints of danger or opportunities of escape.
Detectives have, in the ordinary course of their duty, to place themselves in equivocal positions with those with whom they are watching and studying, in order to get proofs of their guilt, and there are doubtless cases in which appearances may be against them, though they are only loyally fulfilling their duties to their superiors in ferreting out the secrets of suspected people.
What is wanted under such circumstances is a very cheap system of supervision and control.
Officers employed in this way ought to be bound to keep a detailed diary of their proceedings, and to report continually to headquarters what they have in view and what they are doing.
Something ought also to be done to raise the character of the men and perhaps the rate of their pay.