I am sure that all of you are fully aware of your obligations as
police officers, and therefore to preach ethics to you would be pre-
sumptuous on my part. I believe, however, that it is well for all of
us to keep reminding ourselves of the sacred precept that laws are
to be enforced without favor or prejudice. Laws are made to be
applied to all persons alike. Equality under the law is one of the
oldest doctrines of our civilization — many times more ancient than
our Republic. Respect for the law, the foundation stone of a stable
society, crumbles if the law is applied one way to one individual and
a different way to another.

The badge you wear as a policeman confers upon you great au-
thority, signifying the power a free people governing themselves have
vested in the State. But it is an authority not to be abused. It is an
authority granted to your office and not to yourselves as individuals.

In the Police Department of Baltimore City, you have associ-
ated yourselves with an organization which has a long and glorious
history.

I am sure that you have chosen police careers because you are on
the side of the law, and I am confident that you will perform your
duties with pride and bring honor to the department.

Let me say, finally, that I wish each of you success and happiness
in your careers. I know all of you will do a job that will bring
credit to yourselves, your department, your city and your State.

REMARKS, SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF MUNICIPAL
COURT JUDGES - BALTIMORE

May 1, 1961

It is, I know, a coincidence, but I should like to think neverthe-
less that there is good omen in the fact that this new court for Balti-
more City is being inaugurated on "Law Day USA. " This May Day,
1961, is a memorable day in the history of Maryland jurisprudence.

This municipal court which we have established is the handiwork
of many men who used their skills, their talents and their training
to achieve a high purpose—the improvement of the judiciary of our
State's largest city. I am confident that the court, now in the hands
of this group of able, conscientious and dedicated judges, will fulfill
the purpose for which it was established.

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