The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-13
Metropolitan Police Matters.


PoRT-APf0NTMKNrs IN SECRET SESSION.
The following the report of General Superintendent
Talmadge, submitted to the Board Thursday
OFFICK GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT POLICE !
NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 1858
10 The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD COMMISSIONERS
MEIRoPoIIANiPouCE:-
sK.-In conformity with the directions of the law con.
sttutng The Metropolitan Police District have the
honor TO report to the Commissioners, that although
crime and suffering have prevailed in this community
during the quarter ending the LIST Of February instant
to an extensive degree that fearful antcpaons
on the approach of winerby the nterpositlon Of kind
Providence-have yet been realized and great and
constant rel OF has been afforded by public and private
benevolence.
In sc'y comprising great population as New York,
also demonstrating point for foreign emigration is not
surprising that the demands upon the benevolent of
citizens should annually increase and that Of
crime should correspondingly be augmented.
With this report submit the quarterly reports Of the
sentpg in condensed form the efficient action OF the no.
lice of the respective Cities during the quarter ending the
3ls Of January last presenting most favorable contrast
The following synopsis will present. brief form the
present condition of the force placed under my command
The whole force in the city Of New York consists Of e
men, officers and patromen of which ID captains and
is are sergesnts showing deficiency yet to be supplied
OF IA captains and 20 sergeants.
The efficiency Of police must 10 great measure de-
pend upon the completeness of its organization we'll
ts numerical strength and may be pardoned for init
mating that with large gin judcious selection of
officers well as paromen, uninuenced and unbiased
any hostility that may against the department
and form what the police Of New York should be, safe
guard and protection to our fellow citizens and not po
htca weapon to be welded for the promotion of political
The rules governing this department forbid members
from participating actively in the political conflicts of the
day ard do not doubt that honorable body will i'm
by your example, n the selection of the force, the
importance and correctness Of the rule
The whole number of arrests during the past quarter
amounts TO IL b93, of which 673 natives and
10 O2o were fore gners Al O94 destitute persons have
m wit oyp pf
portion foreigners 1852 lost children have been
stored to their parents and 800 stores dwellings found
open in the night, and proper protection afforded.
The INT Of property stolen from citizens and
ported to The department was S67 ,le6 so, of which
1888 ~ recovered.
The vast benefits Of the telegraph have bee real zed
in the recovery Of property tie restoration Of persons
their families and in the speedy transmission of orders
have examine with care the several station houses
within the Metropolitan district and, with few eNcep
tons, have found them IN good condition and properly
cleansed.
In the First ward the security Of the inhabitants, and
would, persuaded, be greatly promoted by abolish
ing tie station houses at Ola slip and Trinity place, and
establishing single one in central position 10 the
ward Such position be obtained in Beaver street,
Broadway If the city government would appropriate
that BUILDING (ow used for bose carrage 10 this pur
rose The station house in the Fourth precinct is dis
graceful to the city authorities and the uuisance-tor
such Il s- hould be immediately abated.
Those Of the Twenty first aud Twenty second precincts
are unfit for occupancy by the force and trust that the
most speedy measures will be adopted TO adapt them to
the purposes for Which they occupied
take leave suggest that the public would be greatly
odated by the formation in several OF station
houses Of convenient but safes IN which
posted for sake OF keeping, many vauables be
orgng to families who leave the city during the warm
season Thus placed, they would be more secure than
even in the vaults Of bank because they are constantly
guarded convenient because they in the vicinity
of the RESIDENTS and at all times by day night, be
placed there or removed at the will Of the owner.
In the examination OF the station houses Ihave discover
cd that in Of them wardrobes for the protection OF
the clothes OF the ratrolmen provided while in
proportion OF them protection afforded against injury
10 their clothing from dust anu otherwise, and from actual
loss by theft submit for your consideration the propr
ETY. oil supply ing each station houae With this indispensable
piece of furniture.
would also ask your attention to the proprety of
providing the officers and patroimen with storm caps
subsutue, when required for the dress caps nov used
by the police.
Some the station houses are already supplied with
them but in instances the old imitation leather caps
are useless, and the men refuse 20 wear them.
In some q the station houses the dormtory accommo-
dstons too contracted, thereby endangcripg the
health and destroying the comfort OF the men In one
room counted twenty two beds and In several found
tina, than dozen persons occupied single apart
ment This IL justly source Of serious complaint. BY
the report OF the Deputy Superintendent OF Brooklyn It
appears that the number Of arrests made during the past
quarter amounts 10 two III )usand hundred and ty
five, and that during the period three thousand
hundred and ninety eight persons were accommodated
with lodgings Additional statistics detailed In the
ports Of the Deputy Superintendent OF interesting
Character TO which ask leave TO refer this honorable
Board
In referring the rules and regulations for the govern
men OF the harbor police perceive that the proposed
force TO consist of twenty five and two sergeant
who shall have the immediate command OF the men.
also proposed to employ the force in five boats,
three OF which 10 be In service the Fast river
from sunset TO sunrise, and the North river
dwrDg the same period. and one boat each river
during the day. Whch you take into consideration
humber of slips the Of prope rty they are
TO guard, together With the numerous thieves that n,es
our waters, whom they are 10 walsh and encounter,
respectfully submit wtether the public service will not
require an increased river police to be all eectual
Besides, Il can hardly be expected that the men
should be upon duty consecutive nights, especially as
they are required TO be on duty from sunset W
without any relief
six hours duty generally regarded az sufficient, tour
for land police before rtc the rules and regulations
crnrR the river police contemplate twelve hours
tive duty without relief
This regard most imporlan, branch OF this de-
parimeDt, and feel confident that the public look with
confidence for sufficiently and most efficient
force.
take pleasure In communicating TO the Commissioners
that have received from various cities the reports Of the
executive of GERS 81 their police aud that the general plan
which forms the basis OF the Metropolitan Police this
district, Is being recommended and adopted BY them.
H. A. TAIIMADGE, General superintendent
The report Of the Deputy Superintendent ths, the
whole number Of arrests amounts 10 l2TTs of which,
Guiding colored persons 2,24 natives, and 1929
foreigners, classified as foliows:--
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Swedes ............... 8
Germans. ..........l9 23 West Indies .......... 5
English .............. 577 CubaUs ............... 8
Scotch ............... 40 swss.................
...s.ss.ss.sss 90 ftolahucrs
Italians 81 Welsh ................ 2
Canadians. ........... IS Danes ................. 1
Poles ................ 10 Portuguese ...........
spanish ............. II Coorod persons 225
fory one thousand aud NINETY; four poor and destitute
persons have been accommodated with lodgings Of whom
seven eghtbs were foreigners sl3 2s3 IS money has
been taken from odgers and prisoners and the
time restored TO them 7s2 lost children have been found