On 1 july 1946 the U S Constabulary will become
operational. We will, in a vary short time, put into practice
the training and lessons which we have learned. Soon we shall
assume the grave responsibilities for securing law and order
in the American Zone of Germany. The entire world will be
watching our performance of duty, and there will be many who
will be ready to criticize our early mistakes.
Without an opportunity to screen troopers received
by the Constabulary, we consequently have many persons who are not
suitable for this type of work, either from the standpoint of
intelligence, character, or interest. Our time of preparation
has been short and interrupted by many moves necessitated the
housing situation. We have had many unexpected losses in key
officer and noncommissioned officer personnel. As time has gone
on and the magnitude of the task has been more fully realized,
we have seen how much more there is to be done in the way of
special training for the task ahead, and how much we still lack
in being ready. Changes have been made in the assignment of
personnel and the shifting of commanders as more suitable personnel
have arrived and become available. Changes will be continued.
Everyone must realize that only by continuous effort in the
selection of personnel for key positions as better me become
available, and by the weeding out of undesirable characters,
can the Constabulary attain and remain up to the standard
required for our work.
As time goes on, character appears to be the out-
standing requirement of the Constabulary. Probably no other
group of men have been called upon to face tasks and respon-
sibilities that call for greater exercise of character than in
the work which now confronts the U S Constabulary in Germany.
We are living in a country which has broken down, morally,
from the normal standards of an enlightened and well disciplined
people because of the long years of war, shortage of food,
shortage of housing and other equally important factors.
All
the temptations that are prevalent in any police force are
accentuated here. For almost nothing a man can have anything
he desires from an immoral and dishonest point of view.
The Constabulary must get off to a good start. It's reputation must
be zealously and constantly guarded. Infractions
of discipline must be promptly and severely punished. There
must be a continuous weeding out process of undesirables from
top to bottom.
Wherever operational requirements permit, troopers in
the security patrols will be made up of responsible men rather
tan flood the countryside with men who cannot be trusted or
supervised properly. Fewer good patrols are better than many
bad ones.
Every incident involving bad conduct on the part of a
Constabulary trooper should be something that hurts each member
of the Constabulary, and is so felt by every individual in it.
It should be the desire of everyone to eliminate that person,
bringing him to quick and severe justice.
Study the operational directives carefully; brief
officers and men with instructions the same way we prepare men
with the understanding of their orders before battle; and
remember that the outstanding qualification for the Constabulary,
as individuals and collectively, is character.
We will do this job and do it well just as we have faced every difficulty
so far with the intelligent and honest
endeavor.
E. N. Harmon
Major General, United States Army
Commanding
