patrol member, you should strive to anticipate and prevent trouble. In situations that will obviously result in  disorder,  take  preventive  measures  before apprehension becomes necessary. Quiet, friendly words of advice often are sufficient to prevent a situation from getting out of hand. Above all, control your temper. If you let taunts or curses overcome your self-control, you only increase tension in a situation you are trying to prevent. Should the apprehension of an unruly person become necessary, do so as quietly and expeditiously as possible. Do not permit yourself to become involved in an argument. You can help restore order and maintain discipline by demanding strict compliance with orders, rules, and regulations; but be tactful in exercising your authority. You also must be tactful and patient with military personnel who have had too much to drink. Some people in such a condition tend to become belligerent. If they persist in having a belligerent attitude after you have talked to them, you can cancel their liberty and send them back to their ship or station; or you can apprehend them and take them to patrol headquarters. When apprehending unauthorized absentees, you have two courses of action (except in the case of deserters,  who  always  must  be  taken  to  patrol headquarters). If persons present a neat and orderly appearance and furnish reasonable evidence that they are returning to their station, you should permit them to proceed. Reasonable evidence is their possession of a ticket to the proper destination, presence in a bus or railroad  depot  awaiting  transportation,  or  actual presence on the train or bus. Avoid detaining the absentees  to  the  extent  that  they  miss  their transportation.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  you  are reasonably certain they will not, or cannot, comply with orders to return to their command, take them to patrol headquarters where arrangements will be made for their return. They report conditions or practices that appear prejudicial to the welfare of military personnel. The shore patrol must be alert for signs of uncleanliness or violations of sanitation and fire laws by restaurants, taverns, or dance halls patronized by service personnel. If any violations are found, notify your duty officer. The shore patrol always should be on the lookout for fire hazards. Check all exits to make sure that all people in the establishment can escape in case of fire. Remember,   as   a   shore   patrol   member,   you   are concerned  not  only  with  the  health  and  welfare  of service personnel but also with the health and welfare of  civilians  within  your  area  of  duty.  If  you  make  a careful  inspection  and  turn  in  an  unfavorable  report, you  may  make  a  few  enemies,  but  you  also  may  save many lives. Complaints   of   overcharging,   shortchanging, misrepresentation,  or  other  illegal  or  shady  practices should   be   investigated.   If   the   complaints   continue, notify  the  shore  patrol  officer.  If  such  practices  are continued, the establishment can be placed off limits. Personal Appearance and Conduct When standing shore patrol duties, you are dealing with  two  communities—the  military  and  the  civilian. You  must  always  present  a  sharp  appearance.  Be  in  a correct,  clean,  and  neat  uniform.  Your  hair  must  be neatly   groomed,   shoes   shined,   and   hat   squared. Service  personnel  are  quick  to  notice  and  criticize faults in the uniform and behavior of the shore patrol. The   people   in   the   civilian   community   get   their impressions  of  our  armed  forces  from  the  way  you look. You are an ambassador of the United States and the U.S. Navy. In other words, wear your uniform with pride at all times. Your  conduct  as  a  member  of  the  shore  patrol reflects directly on the Navy and the United States. You are  constantly  in  public  view  and  must  maintain  a reputation   for   smartness,   alertness,   and   efficiency. Never lounge or lean against buildings or objects, and public smoking is prohibited. Refrain from prolonged conversations   outside   the   line   of   duty.   Do   not congregate  with  other  patrol  members  except  in  the line  of  duty,  and  never  linger  in  any  public  place  or establishment. The authority vested in the shore patrol is  represented  by  the  uniform  and  brassard.  You  may exercise   this   authority   only   in   the   performance   of assigned shore patrol duties. When you are not on duty, you  have  the  same  status  as  any  other  member  of  the armed forces not on duty. You  are  never  allowed  to  use  your  shore  patrol credentials   to   solicit   favors,   gifts,   or   gratuities. Furthermore,   these   concessions   should   never   be accepted   when   offered.   When   eating   ashore   as   a member  of  the  shore  patrol,  you  must  pay  regular prices, whether on duty, on liberty, or on leave. Members of the shore patrol are forbidden to drink any form of an intoxicating beverage or any other form of  intoxicant  while  on  duty  or  at  any  other  time  that may be prescribed by the shore patrol officer. 8-22