The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Reorganizing the Police Force

After flipping through the remaining files, Joseph realized that the more than 180 police officers had not received full salaries for four months.

Their wages were funded 20% by the municipal government and 80% by the merchants’ guild. However, the guild often failed to collect enough funds due to noncooperation from merchants, resulting in partial salaries for the officers.

Joseph frowned and shook his head. Sixty officers were responsible for managing a district of 80,000 people, and they weren’t even paid fully… No wonder there were 28 murders in a single month. It was also no surprise that, at the beginning of the French Revolution, when large numbers of citizens raided the Hôtel des Invalides for firearms, no one stepped in to stop them.

Everything begins with people. It seemed that the most urgent task was to solve the manpower issue.

Joseph pondered deeply, recalling the various advanced policing concepts from later generations. After writing for four or five pages, he outlined a framework for reforming the police force and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Setting down his pen, he glanced at the first line he had written: "Incorporate civilian patrol teams." Then he called for his assistant, the police commissioner’s aide, Bono, and instructed:

“Summon all police officers and civilian patrol teams in the Saint-Antoine district to gather here tomorrow morning.”

Bono was taken aback. “Your Highness, you mean… everyone?”

“Yes, everyone. I’ll have Viscount Guizot transfer personnel from other districts to assist with patrols. You don’t need to worry.”

“Understood.”

Joseph then turned to Eymond. “Please dispatch someone to withdraw 20,000 livres from my personal estate.”

…

The next morning, as the sun rose, nearly 400 police officers and members of civilian patrol teams were assembled in the open square in front of the Paris Police Department, standing in two somewhat disorganized formations.

Although they had been informed that they would meet the Crown Prince, their new superior, they couldn’t suppress their nervousness and astonishment when they saw the young man standing on the wooden platform. Clad in a red double-breasted uniform and wearing a tricorn hat, the handsome youth cut a striking figure.

At exactly 9 o’clock, as a drumroll sounded, Joseph raised his hand to signal silence and spoke in a loud voice:

“Gentlemen, good morning. I’m not one for unnecessary words, so I’ll only say three things. Listen carefully.”

Though his voice still carried a youthful tone, his presence was commanding. “First, from now on, all civilian patrol teams in the Saint-Antoine district will be incorporated into the Police Department and become official police officers. Of course, participation is voluntary.”

The civilian patrol members immediately broke into an uproar!

Becoming a police officer usually required buying a position for 500 livres. With a single sentence from the Crown Prince, they were all being elevated to official police officers?!

In Paris, while the reputation of the police wasn’t stellar, it was still a government position with status and rank! For these self-organized groups of desperate men who had only hoped to protect themselves, this was a dream come true, a sudden leap into a new social class.

Joseph gestured for silence and continued, “Second, all personnel will undergo evaluations, including assessments of character, physical fitness, and professional skills. Based on your scores, you’ll be assigned police ranks—similar to military ranks—divided into three levels: constable, inspector, and sergeant, with three grades within each level. Promotions and salaries will correspond to these ranks.

“Constables will start as trainees with a monthly salary of 18 livres. Salaries for first- to third-grade constables will be 22, 25, and 30 livres, respectively. Inspectors’ salaries will start at 40 livres.”

He pointed to several wooden boxes nearby. “Here are 20,000 livres. After your ranks are determined, you’ll receive this month’s salary immediately. Going forward, wages will be distributed in cash on time without a single day’s delay.”

The crowd erupted once more! A salary of 30 livres was comparable to that of municipal officials, while 22 livres ensured a comfortable standard of living. What’s more, the money was paid in cash! Previously, police salaries had been a meager 16 livres, often docked so much that they barely received half of it.

The eyes of everyone present gleamed with hope—the reflection of silver coins.

They were determined to fight hard in the evaluations. Attaining the third-grade constable rank could save them ten, no, twenty years of struggle! Meanwhile, the more corpulent members of the group were already growing anxious about their fitness.

“Third,” Joseph’s voice interrupted their thoughts, “a performance evaluation system will be implemented. Based on metrics like crime-solving rates, response times, and complaint volumes, monthly assessments will be conducted. Outstanding performance will earn bonuses, while poor performance will result in salary deductions. Promotions and position upgrades will also depend heavily on evaluation results.”

He swept his gaze across the crowd. “That’s all I have to say. I trust everyone here is in agreement.

“Now, begin reorganization and evaluations on the spot. The entire process must be completed within ten days!”

“Yes!” The crowd roared in unison.

The civilian patrol members were so excited that their faces turned red, their hands trembling as cries of “Long live the Crown Prince!” echoed one after another.

None of them had anticipated that their lives would change so dramatically from a single unexpected gathering. They could already foresee a future filled with hope. In their eyes, the Crown Prince had become a savior radiating divine light. Hundreds of them silently vowed to dedicate themselves fully to repay his immense grace.

Soon, several of the Crown Prince’s guards arrived, each taking charge of dozens of officers to begin the reorganization.

Joseph’s initiatives, though commonplace in later eras, were revolutionary in the 18th century. Unified structure, specialized roles, performance assessments, and merit-based rewards—each measure was a groundbreaking reform.

In the original historical trajectory, it wasn’t until decades later that the brilliant Napoleon began police reforms, which, even though less comprehensive than Joseph’s, still became a model for all of Europe.

Two days later, the residents of the Saint-Antoine district noticed many new developments.

At the entrance of every street hung a wooden box with a slit at the top, marked with large painted letters: “Police Complaint Box.” Smaller text explained that all grievances against the police could be written and deposited here. The police commissioner would personally review and address them, with the results promptly announced.

Meanwhile, in populous areas, wooden frameworks were being erected. According to the carpenters, these were security pavilions ordered by the Police Department, where officers would remain on duty around the clock to support patrolling officers.

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