New-York tribune., 1841-08-16
POLICE REFORM.

We believe there is and hardly be difference OF
opinion among citizens this point that the Police Sys
of NewYork is deporably defective and needs nmedi
ate, energetic Reform We here upon indi-
vduals insist only the papable truth that the exist
ing system is vicious and be reformed shocking
murder has recently been committed in City vicinity
probably in daylight and the end of the third week the
murerers remain wholly unsupported Four days afer the
murder had been committed days after the body had
been found, authorities and officers did know
that murder had been committed Now they hard
work cold out the offenders and bring
them justice but they only discharge their public dr.
ties the sacrifice Of their pirate interests Some OF our
best officers have beeu the alert night and day for
weeks with certainty that they receive not one arthng
unless from private iberaty for their arduou and i'm
probably dangerous services Is this right? Can blame
the officer who learning that great crime against human
life has been committed and another against individual pro-
pcriy the track of the latter where reward is
offered and leaves the former where there is none Do
not drive him this course How else he support his
family And the systemic make short Work o IT
calculated give impunity to voatcrs aud murdcrcrs
We throw out these suggestions introductory the
following Plan for the Organization of efficient Police
by we'll known and respected citizen whose experience in
such matters cntite him to command attention He pro-
poses
First: To separate the strictly Judicial from the mixed.
partly Judicial and partly Ministerial business To this end
would establish Superior Court OF Police, to be located
the Halls OF Justice consist OF three Justices before
whom any of them, Nil those who shall have been
arrested and brought before them complaint made be-
fore any of the District Justices hereinafter provided for
shall be heard nnd decisions made having cognzancc OF all
and things that the present Poce have eX-
cept that they shall hear complaint or issue any IN
- 10 tIaI flArL
and Deputy Clerk, and four Marshals or ConstableS
Second: Five Justices should be appointed 10 hold i've
separate distinct Courts and located rs best and most
conveniently to accommodate the public generally, having
reference 10 population and business They may be called
District Police Justices They shall have power hear all
complaints and ncpient process in all instances TO
be nads rernabe and be returned before the Justices of
the Superior Court OF Police. They shall adudi-
cate commitment let ball. have any accused brought
before them examna,ion shall they interfere with the
business province Justices of the Superior Court
They should also each be supplied with Clerk and tour
Marsha These District Courts may be increased our
population increases, business ana necessity may require
have thus the breest presented bare outline
of nv plan without entering all into deductions ot the
benefits advantages that NIL result to the public or IN
dividuas the character OF the organization every
experienced urist the programme Itself VIII be suhceh 10
approval rejection Nor nave entered at all into
the specific duties of the several officers upder such Teogan-
zaton believing these be better defined IN future COM
muncation, devoted TO that subject alone.
Blu, before dismiss the subject and the Improvement
of the Consabulatory IS intimately connected with the
Courts of which have spoken and such vital Importance
TO the public might be considered guilty OF derection OF
duty should omit it.
And frst-For Constabuatery, only who in
the srme of early manhood selected their morals
tai and physical powers in their development be such
as meet the exigencies of their perlos duties They
tanned in Office if active perercrng and gant until per
haps the autumn of life first sets in upon them They are
then dismissed often in penry after the public has had all
the benefit of their active vigorous manheod and thus left
inser out the remnants of life made feeble by deeds OF
perseverance and daring circumstances which must Sc
verey admensh the Government that 1t has dealt unuSt
;b ,b would therefore so alter the compensation o
those officers that with proper attention to their duties
they could save reasonable competence Tor themselves and
families. To effect this would pay them c0mPensaaor
graduated by the value of the services they should render
would alter their fees for small and commonplace oui
ness unattended with unusual vigilance or risk OF persona