The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-05
THE POLICE CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION
BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS.

LITTLE LIGHT ON METROPOLITAN POLICE MAT.
TIERS, ETC, ETC.
The investigation which has now been three days in
progress before the Police Commissioners produced yes
terday some interesting deveopemens to the
in whsh the Mayors squad has been the habit Of doing
business The investigation originated In complaint
made by Sergeant Brney against officer Wynkoop, and
has taken rather wide range assuming the shape
Of trial Of Mr. Brney thus far evidence has
apparently been adduced against him than any cse
In fact from statement OF Of the witnesses yester
day, separate investigation into Mr. Brneys
ordered by Mr.. Bowen.
The first wtnesses-ofcers L. Place, Richard Orpheus,
p. s. Fowler Seaman Neiss and McArthurdid not know
anything Of officers of the Mayors squad having received
money for the performance Of their duty outside Of their
salaries. One two Of them would not believe the wit
ness Brandt under oath.
officer Busteed testified that he had heard that Sergeant
Birney had gone to named Brady under indictment
for selling obscene books, and wanted him BRADY to go
to the MAJ ors office and he (Brney) would get the indict
ment quashed. Witness had told Mr. Long to tell Brady
not to have anything TO do with Birney.
Mr. Birney-it will all be explained, Mr.. Bowen The
fact u.s. MIR Stanley the Mayors Office wanted
10 know if there Indictment and r the evidence
could mot be destroyed This is not The first nor the last
instance in which Stanley has tempted into mischief
and crime.
this 60 separate matter, 70 be tried at some other
time.
Mr. saney-rhe object is simply that this statement
Mr. Birrey, however, wished to make the statement,
and MIR. Bowen accordingly swore hm.
Mr. Birney then said-So determined If could to
catch Stanley pretended that the evidence de-
stroyed, and then wanted him to pay me the money.
Mr. Birney-The money for so doing which he had
promised he pretended that he had not got the money Of
the man and would not pay ii the evidence was in the
did not know of any money to be paid or Of any agree
ment with Stanley he very anxious that the indict
men should be quashed he had gone into respectable
business told HIM to bring the evidence that this
had offered TO compromise this thing, and would r.
Blunt and have him attended to, but Mr. Blunt was too
busy to attend to it.
Mr. stanley-I would like to ask the witness one qucs.
ton: He never spoke to me in his ie It's lie out Of
Mr. Bowon-This matter had better be left to separate
Mr. Philips TO witness) DO you know of any officer Of
the Mayors squad attempting TO procure books from any
book firm for any purpose9
geant Brney requested to get him $50 $40 worth Of
books; do rot know for what purpose; he made
stantaed; do not know whether intended that
the books to be prcsentcd he knows BEST heard
Brandt say that he chad Sergeant Croft and would follow
him up until he broke him. would not take his word.
Mr. BowenI would suggest that that about Brady
be put down for trial on Tuesday.
1T was undcrstood.)
Witness TO Mr.. Birneyl-I told Harper not to give you
70 Mr.. Bowen-Do you mean 70 nsnuate that this was
an attempt the part Of Mr. Blrney TO get the DOCKS
SnoSs ya for o got them think he would have
got them out OF me.
To Mr.. Brneyl never expected 10 get tue money from
Oicers BLACKWELL Hector Moore Black and Davis were
respectively sworn but developed no light on the case
Captain James NJ Leonard sworn-I have been captain
OF the twenty sixth precinct since january 8.
O. DO you whether there bad been, prior to your
taking there attempt on the part OF the SER
reapts or the men to divide money? A. only know 1t
from what Mr.. wynkoop said had heard limitations Of
3. From whom did you hear them9 A. From officer
Brandt Mr. Van Arsdale who oamo to me- think, at the
oo an demanded
either Gaylor or himself
O. Do you know Of any officer OF police having received
money for his services other than his saarya A. OF my
own knowledge do not sir; only know those general
charges was informed by the Mayor, tho Mayors
geants that there connected with the force
who neglected all their duties for the purpose Of staying
settling them without their reaching the Mayor Of
them said these men could not be beaten away with
promise felony after the magistrate had held all the
parties have made complaint Of that officer to the Com
missoners no was one Of the men that had been watch
ing TO catch this natter Marshal Stephens said it
and notice; Sergeant Croft complained that tho
would not obey his orders; was informed that these
men would not do anything .else except IL was case
where they could make money! yet these men come here
and cay that they never knew Of any one officer making
O. Have you heard Of any seemingly well authenticated
Mr. Bow,n-i would suggest, as Commissioner of Pc.
Ece that any seemingly well authenticated cases you
viii make complaints in your capacity as captain a, Of po
want to make charges against any officer Of police
that have reason to believe has been guilty Of these
Mr.. BrnryEWhat did Mr. Van Arsdale say To your A.
He said that there case where he was present
when ser geant did demand and receive money! 1t was
Mr.. Phlips-Dd he say anything about money borrow
cd by Mr. Croft? A. No, cir.
officer James McCoud sworn--Q. Have you heard Of
sergeans Of the Mayors squad demanding money Of the
mep9 A Yes officer Brandt told me that sergeant had
O. Have you knowledge OF any officers receiving money
aside from their salaries2 A. Yea; have received
Mr.. Bowen--wen this is a ,ora cris.
0ficer McCloud-I was told outside that had better
not tell truth fear would be broke: but fsaid
did not care and that could not that had re-
ceved money when knew that bavc.
Mr.. Bowcn-wel have respect for you, Mr.. McCloud;
but you not obliged these questions as 10
yourself unless you choose
9. What 10 the largest sum you have received A.
@ How long have you been on the pOice' A. since
have reccveds A. do not know; have not had il oil to
myself; there were other parties interested with Il.
Q. Who were theyY A. do not wish TO implcate any
body else; three or four squad have given mo
money and received u from me- was told when went
manned there about four months went there on tho
18th Of April Witness here told the Of his being sent
back 70 ward duty for not having his number on bis cap
@. What other men have received money! A. lido not
hink there Is If the Ohols sqdd from the sergeant
doyn, but schat has received money
O. Do you know that the sergeants received money! A.
do not know thar they have, sir have heard Sergeant
Brney remark that he did not ho,o much The
made he has often asked If had not done pretty veil
cddy and If Icould not stand the oysters
DID you state 70 the sergeant that you had TO-
cevcd money! A. No, sir.
Y How did Brney know II, them A. pds Tie current
yjces. WV ~ ~ ~ '"
DO You know that either Of the sergeants ever heard
me men talking about this subectp A. Sergeant Birncy
tod me on one occasion that had done pretty we'll, and
any reply.
@ Did you admit to him that you had been making
mat ! had made money any day IL must have come TO
c,r ears from common report told either Of tho
sergeants how much money had made.
~. what men made money! A. stated before that
money. ~ " WV 'a' WV WV " "'"''
r.n HOW much have you made in tho aggrsgateg A.
10 You know a. 10 tho amount that the officers made
tnorcr a. NO, sir; have made S25 on Q ticket case
dler). '' '' "S~s'' "A