Detectives Quote by Cornelius Willemse
““Detectives and policemen, as a class, are athletic men. They like games and sports and their minds and inclinations are healthy. They make mistakes, of course, but they seldom beat a man who doesn't deserve it. I'll admit that when a hold-up mob is brought into court with faces bandaged, it can be assumed that all of them didn't fall down stairs or roll off a cell bunk, accidentally. But neither does the hold-up man or the gun pull his trigger accidentally.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Crime of the Century by Cornelius Willemse, 1935
Detectives and police are naturally athletic, enjoy competition, and generally act justly; errors occur but intentional harm is rare.
In simple terms: Police are fit, enjoy games, and usually act fairly.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of intent in actions.
Themes
justice
intent
human nature
law enforcement
mistakes
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
ethical
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- courtroom trials
- police training
- crime investigations
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
ethics
intentionality
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you consider intent when judging actions?
- How do we balance empathy for accidental errors?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all violent acts are intentional, ignoring accidental harm.
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