Constitution & Mess Rules

Introduction

1. In any social institution, it is necessary to have rules for the purposes of good administration. Such rules merely lay down the basic framework for the day-to-day running of the establishment. It is not possible to incorporate in the rules of any Mess or Club the manner in which its members are to conduct themselves. Certain standards are expected but never written or laid down as such. The standards are generally a question of tradition and practice evolved through the years. The objective of this document is therefore, to provide members with a broad guideline as to how they are expected to conduct themselves in the finest tradition of the Senior Police Officers' Mess. The reputation and success of the Mess is ultimately dependent upon its members and towards this end, we have only to remember that it is OUR Mess and that as Senior Police Officers, we must conduct ourselves well and uphold the good name of our organisation.

General Purpose of the Mess

2. The Senior Police Officers' Mess is:

• a hub of social life for all Senior Police Officers;

• the club for all serving and retired Senior Police Officers; and

• the preferred venue for all SPF’s social functions, both official and unofficial.

3. To ensure the successful running of the Mess, members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner most appropriate to the event or occasion.

Behaviour & General Conduct

4. An officer must conduct himself so as to not bring discredit unto himself, or the Police Force. In a well-run Mess, badges of rank would make no difference to the correct behaviour of its members. There is no reason why the normal standard of behaviour and maintenance of tradition in the Officers' Mess should deteriorate because badges of rank are not worn.

5. On most occasions, badges of rank are not worn to inject an atmosphere of informality and freedom from the daily routine. Informality must not be carried to extremes. What is expected is a happy compromise between the two, where normal respect is shown to one's superiors. In paying one's compliments, officers should however learn to differentiate between servility or fawning upon their senior officers and the ordinary courtesy due to their superiors.

6. It is only human nature for us to have likes and dislikes or difficulty in understanding others, but do not let these in any way influence or impair your good manners. For "manners maketh a man".

Commanding Officer in the Mess

7. Good manners are always an excellent indication of your good breeding. If your commanding officer or any officer of corresponding rank enters the room where you are seated, it is customary for you to stand up or at the minimum to greet him. He will ensure that you are not bothered unnecessarily in this manner, and more often than not, will prevent all present from rising by saying "Don't get up", or words to that effect.

8. The fact that officers rise to their feet even in the Mess when their commanding officers enter is not being obsequious or servile. It brings home to visitors the high standard of discipline as well as the good manners of the officers concerned. Despite the closer relationship which Mess life engenders, never fail to address your commanding officers as “Sir".

Dress

9. In selecting your clothes, you must bear uppermost in your mind that you are “an officer and a gentlemen" at all times. Therefore, pay the same meticulous care in the selection of your plainclothes that you would to the correctness of your uniform.

10. To wear indiscriminately “any old dress", slippers, sandals or shorts at the Mess is a bad reflection on the manners of the officers concerned. Officers who have been taking part in any form of sports or recreation which requires very casual dress should change immediately into proper attire when returning to the Mess hall or the bar. On specific occasions where the type of dress is stipulated, it is essential for officers to ensure that they are appropriately dressed.

Visitors

11. It is the responsibility of every senior officer to make visitors in the Mess feel at home. If they are unaccompanied, rise to meet them when they enter the hall and try to entertain them until the particular officer who has invited them, arrives.

Patronage during Working Hours

12. It is advisable not to visit the Mess during working hours unless you are on leave or have an official engagement or appointment there. Should you not be engaged on official business, you would be neglecting your duties elsewhere, and everybody knows it; therefore do not hang around the Mess while your men are at work.

Punctuality

13. It is good manners to be punctual on all occasions, whether it be an appointment, a game or a function. Being unpunctual is an adverse reflection on the attitude and character of the officer concerned.

Your conversation in the Mess

14. A congenial and friendly atmosphere is essential to attract members to the Mess. It should therefore never degenerate into a place where idle gossip and character assassination of fellow officers is perpetrated.

15. Although most Messes prohibit the discussion of "shop", it may be convenient to settle some matter concerning work or of Force interest, but such discussion should be limited as far as possible. Again, officers who have nothing to discuss except their routine problems become intolerable bores. Interesting problems of the day connected with Force functions and matters of general interest to all are examples of permissible subjects for discussion. A man who has gone on a course or who has travelled extensively or had the advantages of unusual experiences is interesting and sometimes amusing as long as he does not overdo it.

16. However, tempted you may be, do not speak too much of yourself or dwell too much on your own achievements or own doings however interesting it may seem to you. Others are not likely to treat it in the same light and may soon isolate you as a braggart.

17. It is always wise to be a good listener. Soon you will find your brother officers seeking your company and you will be amazed how much you have learned that is useful to you.

18. Be of a retiring nature with very senior officers; do not give them the impression that you are conceited or vain. Finally, chivalry and good taste dictates that you should never listen to or indulge in loose gossip concerning women in the Mess.

Drinking Habits

19. Excessive consumption of alcohol, has been the mi1lstone around the neck of many promising officers, and their careers abruptly ended for no other reason. You will do well to abide strictly by the "no excessive drinking” rule and never drink-and-drive.

20. The key advice is to be wise in your selection and moderate in your consumption. Ask the Mess staff for the breathalyser and test yourself before deciding whether to drive. Be safe, not sorry.

Dinner & Guest Nights

21. An official function like an official Mess dinner to which important guests are invited should be accorded its due solemnity. It is equally serious to be late for dinner as it is for a parade. Therefore make it a habit to arrive well ahead of the official time. It is a poor reflection on the discipline of the Force for guests to see officers trickling in well past the official time.

22. As the Mess is your home it is polite to remain until your official guests have left. It is customary not to leave the Mess for your home until the Commissioner of Police or the guest of honour for that particular occasion has gone.

Mess Etiquette

23. The following Mess etiquette should be observed strictly by all Senior Officers:

• (a) On arrival at the Mess, remove your cap. However, if any officer is present, pay or return appropriate compliments to him before removing your cap.

• (b) If you request your guest to meet you at the Mess, advise him to take his seat in the ante-room in case he arrives first. Never ask him to wait at the bar or billiard room.

• (c) Learn beforehand the procedure for official functions like the dining-in nights and comply accordingly.

• (d) Avoid unruly or unbecoming behaviour at the Mess. Escort away immediately any of your guests who may become boisterous or unruly.

• (e) Show the same respect to Mess property that you would to property in your own home or in the house of friends.

• (f) Do not fail to report to the Mess Secretary any breakages or damages, be they caused by accident or carelessness.

• (g) Never arrange private parties without first seeking the permission of the President of the Mess Committee.

• (h) Do not reprimand Mess servants; it is not your place to do so, and they cannot stand up for themselves without danger of dismissal. Make any complaint you have to the Mess Secretary who will take the appropriate steps to deal with it.

Mess Rules

24. Always make it a point of complying with all Mess rules. If you find that an officer junior to you has "breached" a Mess rule, it is your duty to correct him.

Conclusion

25. The above are merely the broad guidelines which have been drawn from the years of tradition and practice. Your Mess, like your home, is where character is moulded and confidence developed and camaraderie and espirit de Corps built.