Chapter 359: Power Expansion

Viscount Melbourne heard this and wanted to take advantage of Lord Brougham's presence to have a good talk with Arthur about the prosecution of the Swain Riot.

And the best way to get someone to take on a tough job is to package it as an honor.

Viscount Melbourne smiled and said, "A pragmatic attitude is always beneficial to work. Analyzing specific issues in specific ways is also my political point of view. Although I am a Whig, I can also support Tory on some issues. Just like in this Swain Riot, I chose to stand with Peel."

Melbourne first mentioned Peel's name, and then talked to Arthur about his history of making a fortune.

"Although it has been almost two years, I can still remember the headlines of that time. Fleet Street media, the British public, and the citizens of London were all delighted that a police officer who always stood on the side of truth and justice appeared in the court.

And this is not only your personal honor. The case also triggered many chain reactions, and finally made Parliament determined to reform the Bloody Act. There are only 56 of the 222 death penalty charges now. Arthur, at least half of the credit belongs to you."

Arthur dared not take credit for the flattery of Viscount Melbourne.

As a graduate of the University of London, he knew everything about the movement to repeal the Bloody Act.

If we want to list the pioneers in this regard, in addition to the leader of the movement, Lord Samuel Romilly, the next ones are the Duke of Sussex, Sir Robert Peel, and his mentor Lord Brougham, etc.

The case of little Adam only served as a fuse. In addition, it was a turbulent period when the Catholic Emancipation Act was passed. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel and others urgently needed to establish a propaganda image of an upright Catholic.

Therefore, with their tacit approval and encouragement, Arthur was pushed to the front and won all the honors. As a result, he had a smooth career in Scotland Yard.

Knowing his own weight and when to reach out and when not to reach out is the winning magic weapon that has allowed Arthur to stay in Scotland Yard steadily until today.

What's more, Lord Brougham, another leader of the movement to repeal the Bloody Act, was on the scene. Whether it was out of the original intention of dragging him into the water or saying a few cheap words, Arthur had to mention the credit of his teacher.

"The essence of the movement to repeal the Bloody Act, the abolition movement and the parliamentary reform movement is actually the same. As early as the end of the last century, some people began to voice this call. Although there were few supporters at the beginning, after more than 30 years of development, everything seems to be a natural outcome.

If you insist on saying that the abolition movement is all due to Wilberforce and the abolition of the Bloody Act is all due to me, it is obviously unfair to other leaders who have long supported the reform movement. If it were not for the education I received at the University of London, as a pig farmer from the countryside of York, I would never understand what the movement is and what the Bloody Act is."

Arthur said this and turned his eyes to Lord Brougham. He smiled and said, "The first time I learned about the movement was from Lord Brougham's lecture at the school. It can be said that it was because of this educational experience that I became a staunch opponent of the Bloody Act, an abolitionist, and at the same time, a supporter of parliamentary reform."

When Arthur said this, even Brougham, who was so cold, couldn't help but reveal a shy and proud smile.

He walked to Arthur with two glasses of wine, handed him one, and said jokingly: "Though Thomas and I have always believed that the University of London will one day produce many pillars of Britain. But what we never expected was that there was already a standout among the first batch of students."

Arthur took the glass and smiled and replied: "Sir, there may not be only one. As far as the outstanding people I know, another standout in the University of London is now floating in the waters of South America."

Brugham raised his eyebrows happily and said: "Oh? I didn't know that. One of our students joined the Royal Navy? Do I know him?"

"You should know him." Arthur said: "Classic Mr. Elder Carter from the Department of Literature, who became a cartographer for the Royal Navy after graduation, is now on a difficult and glorious global scientific expedition ordered by the Admiralty. "

"Elder Carter..."

When Brougham heard the name, he thought for a while and suddenly clapped his hands and said, "I seem to have some impression. After all, it is rare for a student to receive three school warnings in a semester. If Mr. Bentham had not always opposed the dogmatic and rigid management of Oxford, the board of directors might have really expelled him. He is doing so well now. It seems that Mr. Bentham's words are really right. Outstanding people have never been law-abiding. "

Brugham praised Elder so much, but Arthur did not choose to follow immediately.

He just drank by himself.

Others don't know how Elder got the school warning, but his friend knows it well.

Although Arthur does not agree with following the rules, it doesn't seem to be a glorious deed to bribe the professor after being caught selling obscene products.

When Viscount Melbourne saw that Arthur had changed the subject, he quickly took the conversation back.

"Although I have suspected that you are an opponent of the Bloody Bill, it is always reassuring to be confirmed in person. However, it is gratifying that you can establish good concepts from your education at London University, but it is a pity that The thing is, I think you may have chosen the wrong college and department.

Judging from the debating skills you have shown in court, if you had studied law under Lord Brougham, you would have achieved higher achievements than you do now. But fortunately, the establishment of the London District Attorney's Office has enabled us to have the position of prosecutor, which means that even if you are not qualified as a lawyer, you can still work hard in the field you are better at.

More importantly, if you can perform well in the prosecution of the Swain riots, you can also stop the mouths of those who think the police are not qualified to perform their duties as prosecutors. In this way, it is only natural that we nominate you to become the Deputy Attorney General of the London District. "

Arthur never expected that Viscount Melbourne would actually play a trick on him: kill first and play later.

He didn't even agree. Viscount Melbourne had already unilaterally started planning for him the vision after the work was completed.

Arthur knew that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was probably determined to let him take the lead this time.

After all, my arms couldn't twist my thighs, so it wasn't impossible for me to take on this job.

And he didn't want to ruin his image as a good student in front of Lord Brougham.

Since a strong attack was not possible, after thinking for a moment, Arthur quickly decided to outsmart him from the other direction.

"It is a great honor to be able to entrust this important responsibility and honor to me. But if I have to prosecute so many people, I am afraid that I cannot complete it with my own strength. After all, the London District Prosecutor's Office has just been established, and the number of prosecutors "If we want to ensure the quality of prosecutions, we may need to recruit some police officers with extensive prosecution experience."

Arthur's request was not particularly excessive, so Viscount Melbourne did not intend to refuse.

He nodded and said: "You have considered it very carefully. If there is really a need in this regard, I will ask Director Luo Wan to help coordinate."

Seeing the student taking over the hard work, Lord Brougham on the side also said softly: "I have not resigned from the position of president of the British Bar Association. If you need a lawyer, I can also help you contact some through personal relationships. people."

Arthur smiled and nodded: "If this is the case, then I will have a lot more confidence in completing the prosecution work."

Having said this, Arthur turned to look at Viscount Melbourne again: "By the way, Your Excellency, I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. Scotland Yard may need to be reorganized?"

Naturally, things like amending the law cannot be hidden from others, and Viscount Melbourne has no intention of being secretive about this.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the main resistance to amending the Metropolitan Police Law lies with local municipalities. Local governments are unwilling to have full control over the newly established local police organizations after paying an additional security fee.

The shot Arthur received in Liverpool, just like his brilliant speech in court that year, immediately suppressed local opposition to the establishment of a police organization.

The previous control measures to quell the Swain riot also led the Viscount of Melbourne to come to the conclusion that there is no need to punish those who have committed a crime, but they must be rewarded if they have merit.

If Arthur, a young man who has helped him solve many troubles, wants to make some 'reasonable' suggestions during the revision of the Metropolitan Police Act, for the sake of their friendship and the face of Lord Brougham, Viscount Melbourne will do it. It's not unacceptable.

"The amendment is still under investigation and we are very happy to listen to everyone's voices, especially those who have been serving on the front line for a long time."

Viscount Melbourne blinked: "Actually, I had convened a seminar with senior police officers from Scotland Yard before, but you went to Liverpool at that time, so your opinions were missed. Now I have the opportunity, why not Just tell me your opinion here?”

Arthur did not immediately express his opinion, but asked: "What suggestions did the other police officers give?"

Viscount Melbourne leaned on the sofa with his legs crossed: "It is mainly about suggestions to strengthen the professional functions of Scotland Yard in all aspects. The current management of Scotland Yard is still too extensive, and the functions of various departments often overlap with each other. Except for front-line duty patrols, other Responsibilities are not entirely clear.

Moreover, when Scotland Yard was first established, it was only positioned as a daily patrol and security department to maintain the London metropolitan area, ignoring the case investigation business that has a great impact on the police's social reputation. In addition, police officers also pointed out the negative impact of using the army and military police to suppress riots, and proposed that a unit at Scotland Yard should be established to deal with similar situations.

Therefore, in this reorganization process of Scotland Yard, we initially believe that we should focus on these two aspects. Arthur, I'd especially like to hear your advice on criminal investigation. "

Arthur asked: "Have they mentioned to you that I once suggested setting up a separate criminal record center, fingerprint department, archives department, and toxicology laboratory under the criminal investigation department?"

"Um?"

Viscount Melbourne felt a little confused when he heard the series of new terms that Arthur said: "I have heard Rowan suggest that the London Police Intelligence Bureau and the Criminal Investigation Department should be managed together. I also think that since they are both police departments, there is no need to manage them in parallel. It is too troublesome to handle."

"Merge management?"

When Arthur heard this, he immediately understood what Rowan was thinking.

Although the Police Intelligence Bureau is nominally a second-level department of the Greater London Police, its budget is directly allocated by the Ministry of the Interior, and it does not need to go through Scotland Yard again.

As we all know, if you can't hold the financial power of a department, you can't hold it in any aspect.

Therefore, the police officers working in the Police Intelligence Bureau have never paid much attention to the orders of Scotland Yard. They only listen to the director Arthur Hastings.

And this situation will naturally make other people in Scotland Yard look bad. If there is an opportunity, they will naturally find an opportunity to tie up this brother department that eats police funds but does not obey management.

Seeing that his subordinates had not even started to set up a new department, there was a fire in the backyard.

Arthur quickly picked up the key point to explain: "Sir, if the Police Intelligence Bureau only deals with police intelligence, then there is no problem with merging management. But in fact, we deal with more than just police intelligence. If we merge management, some things will be unclear."

"Unclear?" Viscount Melbourne was puzzled when he heard this: "Do you have other business lines besides police intelligence?"

Due to the presence of Lord Brougham, Arthur could only say vaguely: "You can consult Sir Peel, or the Duke of Wellington and Viscount Palmerston on this point. Of course, if you need a detailed report, I will ask someone to summarize the work results of the Police Intelligence Bureau this year in front of you after I go back.

If you insist on merging the Police Intelligence Bureau into Scotland Yard, my suggestion is The proposal is to split part of it, that is, police intelligence will be incorporated into the Criminal Investigation Department, and the remaining part will be split into a new department, renamed the London Intelligence Bureau. But in this case, I am afraid it will be difficult for you to explain to the parliament and the news media what this new system is used for. "

Viscount Melbourne heard this and immediately understood what Arthur meant. He took a sip of wine and opened the documents on the desk: "Let's talk about the criminal record center, fingerprint department, archives department, and toxicology department you just mentioned. What are they used for?"

Seeing that Viscount Melbourne was no longer entangled, Arthur smiled and said: "In fact, I also suggest that you set up a special detective training school to train professional police officers for Scotland Yard and establish a police education system to provide Scotland Yard and local police organizations with a steady stream of fresh blood. "