The New York herald., 1869-05-26
DETECTIVE puLcs-asFoaM.Tlas REQUIRED.
o THE EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-

70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:--
II there is any portion OF the police force
more than another requiring reformation 1t is
the detective department at headquarters IN
Mulberry street. The very loose manner In which
1t has been managed for so many years past
under the present guidance has given to 1t q
kind Of pre-emptive right to do business on its
own account without reference TO the public welfare
AS 1t now stands each one seems to be working on
his own account and responsible 10 no one For O
long time past the public have looked upon this
branch Of the police service as mere moneymakine
concern dollars being the only real motive power
stimulate It's members to action, and In many cases
unless the owner offered one-haU OF the lost
property, nut little notice taken OF the affair,
other than to make one more stereotyped record IN
she loss book. During the past few years The bond
robDeries have been a mine for this detective con-
cern as they were the only branch OF the department
considered by the superintendent worthy OF the
trust, ana large sums OF money have been made by
what ls termed IN police .parlance working up the
case;n But no arrest An arrest IN their Judgment
Tne detective police in Paris and London are con.
sidered to be the most Important end effective
branch IN the service. and are composed OF the
picked men OF the department for their aptness and
acknowledged intelligence for such duly and they
are governed by very competent head. Such
ought 10 be the condition OF our detective depart
ment instead Of which there Is no head ability
direct n. Mr.. Kennedy is very fair executive
oncer, but very poor policeman. He don't
TO understand how TO manage intri-
cate police. police matters matters ana displays very inle,
by referring back 10 the Rogers murder and many
Others OF similar character. Mr.. Kennedy seems
20 lose sight OF the Importance or bringing crmi-
pals TO justice In his eagerness 10 catch poor
lager beer vendor selling gass OF beer few min
utes alter the allotted time assigned TO him by the
Excise law. Hence the detectives nave been lett to
govern themselves. In many instances II Is well
known that outside parties, VINO may be designated
"stoolpigeons,n were In communication with the
detectives negotiating for the restoration OF por
lion OF the stolen property, condtionally however,
that no arrest be made. or course the loser was
wiling TO take what he could get and consented
10 take one half or one third, understanding that II
he dad not consent he would lose all. That tins mas
been done and is probably gong on up to the pre-
sent time no one at all conversant with detective
business as managed at headquarters Will attempt
10 deny.
The detective rlng- must be done away with. As
the matter now stanos those composing the rngr
OBTAIN all the lat jobs, such the bond robberes,
bank defauiers, ana all Jobs that paw well; those
en- Inferior grade aud less profitable. 1his riag
system is bad. and OF creates jealousy, and
prevents Others In the force from imparting valuable
Information, and the public suffer by the conceal
ment. We must have the detectives governed by ono
who Will deal with them ilnpaftally and also thor
oughly understands pJllce matters. The detectives
must he given 30 understand that all bargains and
compromises with thieves must end. Arrests must
be made and criminals brought TO justice and those
who cannot comply with these instructions must
either resign or be sent back TO patrol duty When
this Is done mag expect 10 hear a better account
OF the workings oi the detective department.
We recommend these suggestions to the consider a.
uon oil the Board Of Police Commissioners.