New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-28
POLICE RErORM,


refrained from advocating a reform whic
. has become absolutely necessary-a reforr
altogether-until things should be NOR
favorable for the changes necessar
y thereto. The work to be done is grea
one, but itinvolves the welfare of the com
munity to such a degree that it must b.
accomplished at some time, and by thos
who are qualified to do it. 1t is for
tunate thing that by the new city charte
there Is department of police, and al
though we fear that the administrator
thereof has hardly the power necessary tx
renovate matters in his bureau 81
speedily or so thoroughly as il
desirable, he can, by the powers he
does have, and by his official influence
effect great deal. Our knowledge of Mr.
Pierce warrants us, we think, in believing
that he comprehends the needs of his de-
partment, and that his ideas of what a
proper police should be, are of the best and
straightest sort. We have reason to know
that it isithe wish of our political party that
this matter should be fully and speedily at
tended to, and we sympathize wi the
wishes and the right of the entire COM
munity in this respect. We heartily en-
dorse the article of our contemporary the
Bee (Which, barring the Bourbon sting it
sometimes Yields, is generally polished
and dignifed), in its late article On this sub
jec. The work to be done is very great
| one. As far back as we can
remember, we have never yet had
in this city really first-rate police. So lit
tie have even the first rudiments in the true
character of such body been observed,
that it has always been considered almost
disgraceful to be member of II. This is
an unjust view to take, for no position is
more honorable than that of the conserva-
tor of the public peace and the guardian
OF public safety. 1t is also unjust to the
decent citizens, whom circumstances have
thrown into connection with the occupa-
ton. The fact is, that from time imme-
mortal there have been so many dead
beats" loafers, bummers and rats on police
rolls here, that the high Office of an officer
of the peace has even been considered a
shameful position. Now, under a proper |
system, and with the right selection of |
material for the force-and we would |
observe here that there is now album
dance of the right material from
which to choose-a gentleman can |
rs well be an officer of the police
as consistently, as be can, be engaged in
any other honorable occupation. A first rate
'ystem is indispensable. We think much
night be learned an to this point from the
police officials of New York city. We
will mention one feature of the manage
nent there-a most proper one. There is
regular school Of instruction in the i'm
'ortant and delicate duties of an officer,
Which every one, on being enrolled, has to
ttend. More important than The system
sell, Is The right selection Of men. There {
lust be great change here in this regard
he idea that men must be made police OF t
GERS because they are coarse and rough /
manners, regardless of their intelli.
ence, discretion or even personal habits. r
miserable and false one. Three c
undred police oficers-inteligent, hon G
rable, dignifed gentemen-could take
etter care of this grea. city than six or t
wen hundred of the baser sort. The
ost important point for a good officer is s.
command the respect Of he people 6
nong whom he acts. He must be in Il
ct the examplar of good morals and "
anners. The private character of an ap- OF
lcant for office on the force should be b,
idly scrutinized. Far too little impor- es
ace has been paid to this. Every week in
two large number of officers are re- 81
rted as tried and punished for drunk q
ness, abuse of prisoners and other to
ong doings. Why should this happen pc
? more, or as much, as in the case of an la
lal number engaged in other pursuits? th
e department of these officials is of the ! N
hest importance. What right have tel
se public servants to do what would ne
be tolerated in clerks or mechanics or no
er employees? Nothing is more common he
than to see police officer saunter- We
carelessly along bis beat behind bad su,
ar, or worse pipe, or just coming out of hal
orner grocery. We do not now refer to Th
still worse charges which have been, reI
'arently too true against the force,-es- she
tally the specials, - of collision with the
ives and rascals they have been set to gre
'rd the community against, but only al wal
e to things that really seem to be con- yet
cred harmless. While on duty no off, has
has any right to do aught else than at ma
d strictly and vigilantiy thereto. He to
no right to spend his time chatting 7
acquafntances and idlers, but the imr
art.al discharge of his Office makes the
necessary that be should, attic
10 on du'y' keep aloof from gossips, boo
, while exercising the utmost courtesy, fere
ntain serious and dignifed bearing. pui
5 is especially important in the treat ia
1t Of arrested prisoners. Aside from the An,
rageous brutality sometimes exercised sun
ard this class, the conduct of some Of Viii
RS with them is extremely improper in see
9r respects. 1t is frequently noticed linn
on the way to the stationhouses thew eas,
in obscene aud protane jeers and Jokes mo,
no officer sh0nld he thor rr,lonn a. L,