London Mistress Sapphire - The Police Sergeant

Because of the enormous backlog of cases waiting to be heard in the courts, those arrested for minor offences may elect to take immediate corporal punishment from the duty custody sergeant, rather than going through the formalities that might result in a custodial sentence.

Anything you have to say in mitigation will be heard and taken into account, but she has complete authority to deal with you in whatever way she considers appropriate to your offence. This may include various forms of humiliation as well as physical punishment, to ensure that you learn from your mistakes and do not reoffend