At face value, the statement suggests that a police officer's role might seem paradoxical or contrary to what one would expect. Typically, people believe that law enforcement exists to maintain order and uphold laws. However, this quote implies the opposite—that a policeman’s presence is to keep an existing state of disorder in place rather than to correct it.
Exploring deeper into the quote reveals a critique of authority figures who claim to enforce rules but actually serve more nefarious purposes. Richard J. Daley's statement could be interpreted as a criticism of the Chicago political machine during his tenure, which often used police forces to suppress dissent and maintain power at the expense of public welfare. The idea here is that instead of working towards harmony and peace, certain authorities are complicit in sustaining chaos and injustice.
Richard J. Daley was a prominent figure who served as the mayor of Chicago for over 20 years from 1955 to 1976. Known for his political influence and sometimes controversial methods, he often made statements that reflected on the role of law enforcement within society. His remark about police serves as an indictment of systemic issues within governance and the relationship between authority figures and the public they serve.
