Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-02-22
Investigation Into the Abuses of the Police
Office.


The Committee of the Common Council are still
sitting in secret session, at the City Hail. and we
understand that every day de elopments making
of character that i'll astound the eyes and ears
of the community, when they hereafter made
public. That abuses of the most fragrant character
have existed in the New York police office, for
years, is fact notorious the sun at noon day;
and If this investigating committee understand how
TO ferret them out and put stop TO them for the flu
ture they will render the greatest benefit TO the peo-
pie of this city that conferred upon them.
Several of the papers have put forth ridiculous
marks this subject, scarce one of which touches
the real question issue. This investigation, we
can announce from the best authority is not a party
political affair." it is intended for the purpose of
checking all the abuses that have so long existed in
the police office, and of endeavorng to make the
system hereafter preventive system of police, in
stead Of it has been, aystem for the encourage
ment of crime.
Facts have already transpired before the commit
tee that will make every good and yrtuous man
sanction and support the committee in their intend
ed course of publication and reformation. We are
told that il has come out that of the police of
fcers have been leagued with felons, called stool
pigeons" for years; that they have been informed
when robberies were TO take place, and where the
thieves; and yet they have nerfered to prevent
the robbery because it would curtal their pickings
in the shape Of rewards And we further inform
ed that they have frequently either had stolen pro-
perry in their possession, have known where it
was placed aud yet refused declined TO get il and
give it up until they had reward offered for it. We
also informed that it has trans pired that certain
of the police officers have used their utmost exer-
tions to get known thief clear and have succeeded
twhen he has been apprehended by officer not of
their clique because he a stool pigeon of theirs
planned many robberies, decoyed poor young fellows
10 commit the robberies, then informed the officers
obtained part Of the plumber for their share, and
were either admitted states evidence allow ed
10 run at large without the moekery of an arrest.
The magistrates also are included in the list of
transgressors. They have allowed officers TO ar
rest and imprison men and women, without the au.
thority of warrant; they have allowed them to ar
rest persons at their caprice TO take them into
the back ROOM stare hamber Of the police there
to take down their dispositions them selves although
the Revised Statutes expressly forbid any doing
so, or the clerk Especially appointed) in the pre-
sence Of the magistrate.
Another charge against the police is their extor-
tioa in every instance where they had the power
Many of the officers of the establishment were, and
in the pay of abandoned women; il not an
uncommon thing to see one Of these women thrust
So or Sl0 bill into an oficer's hand under the very
eyes and Of the Magistrate, in order to obtain
either extra favors common justice In short, TO
such have all these things been carried by
the officers, and sanctioned by the magistrates, that
reporters, and gentlemen connected with the press,
have been sworn at abused insulted, assaulted and
threatened with the loss Of their lives, If they
dared to comment upon the shameful proceedings
that daily passed before them
Nor have these offences been confined to one po-
Gtical party men Of both parties have been con-
cerned therein. These things call for sweeping
change; let the Augean stable be thoroughly cleans
ed-andthat man, that set Of men, who viii do
this, will deserve the last.ng thanks Of his fellow
citizens that manor that set Of men, who would OPP
pose this great Of reform, deserve the eter-
nal execration Of every good and virtuous member
Of the community.