New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-05
The Civ Police.

That our City needs urgently new and more
efficient organization Of its Police Department no
one doubts or is unwilling to confess The evils
of the existing system-if it deserve the name
its utter inefficency for the prevention of crime
its notorious corruption and prostitution to sim
lister purposes, too well known to require
even reference. Our citizens are all agreed
that thorough, radical Reform is needed. The
Common Council, we are glad to see, have taken
the matter into consideration, and MIR. ATwELL,
from Committee of the Board of Assistants, has
recommended Plan which we trust will receive
the candid attention of the Authorities of the City
who owe to themselves and to the interests of the
Community whose welfare is entrusted to their
hands, provision for far more efectual Preven-
tion of Crime than exists.
The provisions of the Ordinance reported by the
Committee are briefly these The Chief Officer OF
the Department of Police shall be called the Su
perintendent of Police, shall be appointed by the
Common Council for six years. shall have all the
powers relating 10 the management of the Police
Department now exercised by the Mayor, and
shall exercise ell needed control over the subordi
nate members of the Department. His Office is to
be in the Halls Of Justice, and never closed. He
shall have the aid of Lieutenant and Clerk.
The Policemen of the City shall be six hundred
n number,-divided into three classes and SO ar
ranged that the of these classes of six years
shall expire at different periods. No one shall be
discharged except for official misconduct. Two
hundred shall serve from 4 o'clock p NJ till II
at midnight; two hundred from that hour till A.
M. and two hundred from a. nj. till 4 p NJ |
each aided by reserve of fifty, thus securing the
Patrolling of the City day and night The City is |
to be divided into six Police Distrcts-embracing
$50 police posts. upon each of which Policeman
chslalwass be present. Thess ahallhe from 25 |
to so Sergeants of Police, four Of whom shall be
stationed permanently in each District Station
House and have charge of the Policemen in the
district. Six Policemen shall be designated from
the main body in each district to visit the various
posts throughout the City. Every Policeman shall
reside in the district where he serves and no one
shall pursue any business inconsistent with the pro-
per discharge of his official duties. There are to
be three Commissioners of Police, empowered to
examine all matters connected with the Police De-
partment and Police Court, consisting of four |
Special Justices, to try persons charged with mis-
demeanor, to issue warrants, and to sit in secret
The Commissioners are to receive no compensation |
for their services.
Such are the general features of the Plan pro.
posed. 1t seems eminently simple and we'll cal
cua,ed to effect the groat object for which any Po
Gco is needed-the prevention of crime. Itwould
secure our citizens against theft and burglary to
far greater extent than can now be done, and would
enable large and effective force to be brought TO
sustain order and law when either should be threat
ened. The Committee also recommend the paw.
ment OF yearly salary to every Member Of the
Common Council, as q measure demanded by Jus. |
sice and calculated to secure the more prompt and
faithful discharge Of the duties Of the Office. The
expense of the System proposed it is thought will
be much less than that incurred. The com.
parstive cost of the two is thus presented:
PRESENT SYSTEM
Watch and Officers ............... s9IA 1e7 5o
Lamps and Gas Department 600 or
Special Police in Wards (or Day Police ofcers 6 600 co
nsan "aoens ana DOCK Masters 900 g
Seis stenulhs Couit l2pGe OF
90 ior suhpenang witnesses 200 90
DO ior summouing $50 90
ofSesr con; Sa,s 0Oo o.
Do extra services Police Officers 600 on
10 bringing up witnesses, &c...............4 &c on
Two Police Justices less than al present zoo on
keepers OF Public Places 90
PROPOSED SYSTEM
Sn AnrI~t ~tAn6aE t,Ip pn