Judge — September 26, 1925 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a satirical cartoon titled "If Our Cops Were Really the Servants of the People," critiquing police conduct through ironic contrast. The comic depicts police officers actively *serving* citizens—literally carrying babies, offering refreshments, polishing shoes, providing cushions, and attending to comfort. This exaggerated helpfulness mocks the actual relationship between police and the public. The cartoon targets police who abuse their authority rather than serve the community. By showing officers in absurdly deferential poses, the artist highlights how far removed real police behavior was from their stated duty as "servants of the people." The Irish dialect in the speech bubbles suggests this may reference working-class or immigrant communities, who typically experienced aggressive policing. The satire's point: contemporary police acted as enforcers for authorities, not public servants. The fantasy scenario underscores the bitter reality—actual cops wielded power over citizens rather than serving them.