The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-03

Interesting Proceedings Before Police Conn
mlssloner Bowen.
THE MAYORS SQUAD CHARGED WITH BLACK NAIL
NG--sERGBANT BiRNBY RECEIVES CHECK FOR
FIFTY DOLLARS, AND HIS WIFE DIAMOND Rim
TIE EXPLANATION or THE GIFr-ANOTHER MEM
BER IS PRESENTED WITH HAM AND TWO FIVE
DOLLAR NOTES, RTC.
Since the reorganization Of the Mayors squad and the
transfer Of Sergeant Bney TO the Sixth precinct various
matters apperainng 70 the mode in which the police bu
siness the City Hall carried have been made pub
lie and the subject Of considerable gossip among the men,
bers OF the present force, and finally led TO inves
CATION by the Police Commissioners. The proceedings
commenced yesterday before Commissioner Bowen many
interesting facts brought 10 light showing the cor
rupon that carried in the present force and the
slip shod manner in which the department s conducted
appears that several Of the members Of the Mayors
squad were not long since back into their respec
tive precincts for post duty and since then it has eake
out, as is alleged, that some OF the members Of the
said quad have been black mailing and dividing with
the sergeants This however, not fully proven yeser
day the witnesses the stani yet there enoug
brought to light TO fully satisfy the public that
system Of this kind has been carried II alleged
that the investigation brought about by certain
geant for the purpose Of obtaining satisfaction for his
moval from the said squad; and as he has made
plant against personal friend order TO get the matter
before the Commissioners, there is but little doubt TO
the truth of the story.
The examination commenced about eleven O'Clock,
when G. D. Whyksop called, and stated that he
officer doing duty in the Third ward that he had
been formerly member Of the "Msyors squad" and
that he had heard it reported and knew to be
among the officers, that the Sergeant Of the
had stadth he IN with
in where they made procured outside fees
though he had heard this mentioned several occasions
be had heard either Sergeant Brney Croft make
such statement TO him or to Of the officers that he
knew them 10 receive any money, and could not
say positively they had received any from the other
officers; was told occasion by officer Brandt
that Sergeant Croft had requested him to divide
with him, but that be (BrandD refused 30 TO
do; as for himself he had never received any money
cept one two occasoDs when his wife received two
etters each containing So he also had ham left at his
house, but could not tell who sent it, his wife, however,
Alfred Brney was next called, and testified as
followsAm Sergeant, detailed at the sixth precinct
not know OF ever receiving any money from any Of the
force; have heard II rumored that such the
case never knew Sergeant Croft 80 70 do the first witness
beard Of from Captain Leonard also heard spoken
Of at several Of the station houses that the Sergeants
ocers Of the squad divided the why suggested
this investigation 10 clear myself of any wrong i'm
preston that might be entertained against have heard
from almost every man connected with the squad that
Sergeant Croft made the divide with him, heard
stated by officer Whykoop
Mr. Bowen--Did you hear of any particular case
where any Of the men divided with Sergeant Crof A. Was
told by officer Van Arsdae that on occasion
Tynan came INTO the squad room and stated that
he had been swinded BY mock auctioneer that Ser
officer Van Arsdae to 60 with him and try and procure
the mans money and that he (van Arsdae) was to be
sure and make something by the operation; that he van
Arsdae) told Croft that he did not want to make any
money that way, or words to that effect.
Mr.. Bowen-DO you know Of any Of the officers taking
money except their regular salary? A. Only one case;
W.
the day Of his examination that occasion
standing in the squad room, when officer Hall in and
took hold Of my hand and on removing it discovered
that he had placed five dollar bill in my hand; asked
HIM what meant and he said that he had understood
I asked him g to do what2' and he said TO divide;
tod him that did not know where he got the money,
and that moreover did not want to know, aud should
take IL as an insult II an officer any other person
offered me money that he must never attempt that again
ths was the only time was ever offered money by the
men; rome mber OF nstucting Officer Hall that if caugh
him or any other officer taking money would repor
1t to the COMMISSION and have them broke; never
om any rson except oaS RsnS S ss oos
Boswiok but upon an examination the report proved
ase have been offered hundreds and thousands of dollars
myself, bat have always refused the offers.
ExJudge Phillips, counsel for Sergeant Cro, then at
tempted to examine the witness, when he ew
terrible passion and refused 10 any question that
might be put to hun by the above gentleman.
MIR. Phillips said that Sergeant Brnev better
than any other man. and he certainly should be made to
answer as any other officer.
MIR. Bowen replied that Mr.. Brney would be required
ce.
and he determined to solve the whole affair from be-
ginning to end and try and find out where the corruption
laid
Mr. Phillips said he would show the motive which orei
mated the complaint, and who the guilty parties.
Mr. Brney said ne knew his rights In the matter, and
would not be compelled 10 answer Mr. Phillips questions
He claimed that there others against him in
the case and he was determined that they should not
nm up ID any way S furnsr remarked that one
the public, that he was the Sergeant who BLACK
ing the men, and in great state Of excitement he left the
~ocrt,o Aolxx
read the article 10 the Commissioners denouncng as
false, from beginning to end.
Mr.. Phillips still argued that Mr. Brney should not be
exempt from being questioned in regard the charges
for he was innocent himself he certainly could fear
nothing
Commissioner Bowen then said that Mr. Brney would
have TO answer and unless he did he would have
init him. However, Mr.. Phillips could put his questions
them 1t was matter he desired to sift 70 the bottom
and rid the department Of men who II s said daily
Sergeant Brney, finding useless 70 oppose the Com
missoners concluded TO answer Mr. Philips, and the ex
animation was proceeded with.
Mr.. Phlips-Dd you ever receive any money or checks
while on duty at the Mayors squadS
Mr.. Brney-I have received money for my expenses,
but none other
@ Did you ever receive q check for s5oq A. Yes: It
was from Mr.. Thompson, and drawn to my order for
$780, was to pay my expenses TO Georgia, and showed
to the Mayor he censenng that could accept Of IT,
endorsed in his private Office and sent officer Van Ars
dale to draw the money.
Q. Did you receive 500 from W. G. Murey, OF
Jersey CityS A. did but Immediately returned Il: II
was also for my expenses in certain case; think took
out what had expended and returned the remainder
The further examination Of Sergeant Brney was here
set aside for the present.
Officer Church, Of the late Mayors squad was next
called and testified that he had been connected with the
squad since the l4th Of January 1885, could
any Of the officers divided with either of the ser
eesDts took any money himself, although had
often been rendered 10 him. could state any of the
officers demanded money tried 10 extort II from
parties heard any Of the sergeants nsructng the
men TO divide with them.
M tha
custom for officers to station themselves either end OF
the City Hail. and intercept country before they could
get 10 the magistrate or Mayor 10 make their complaints
and the officers would take their complaints themselves
and go ana get their money back taking certain
for themselves.
Commissioner Bowen said that this should be also fully
inquired into.
FL officer Geo. F. Brandt was then called, and testified
that be had once been member OF the Mayors squad
that on one occasion Sergeant Croft had told him that as
he lBrandt bad all the German cases, he should divide
with him; that he made more money than any Of the
squad, and that In return he (CrofD would
place all the best cases In his hands; he,
however, did net comply with Croft's request and
did not remember Of ever paying him one cent on