Beijing Police in the 1920s

It is eye-opening to read that in the early 1920s, the police system in Beijing exhibited exemplary behavior which "impressed many foreigners."

The police numbered almost 10,000 uniformed men, or about 12 policemen for every thousand residents, which was a ratio higher than that of London, Paris and Berlin. (Ramon H Myers, "The Nationalist State" in "The Modern Chinese State" Ed David Shambaugh).

Furthermore, the city's police budget was "on a par with a regular national ministry in the 1920s." Beijing's police were not only well-paid, trained and disciplined, they also operated to preserve the peace and social harmony and "to win the respect and praise of the capital's citizens."

Traits that can, and should be emulated by the present day Beijing police force. Though admittedly, the force has been doing a credible job amid rapid and challenging social changes.