The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-19
BRUTAL. POLICEMEN.
An Officer Dischs -ged from the Force for Dis
obeyins the Rules-The Tr'soners Pen
at jefferson Markst-Nayor Hall
III the Police Board

A lust and timely lesson was Yesterday taught tie
rank and file OF the Police Department by the dis-
charge OF Officer James Curry OF the Jefferson Mar
ket Court squad, from the force for improper con-
duct towards Mr.. John G. Hecksner, who had been
arrested on Madison avenue by Oncer Morgan, OF
HE MOUNTED SQUAD.
on the 10Th OF December. On that day Mr. Hecksner
was driving down the avenue in a sleigh with q
young mare over whom he had lost contro, when
the policeman shouted to him TO stop. Mr. Hecksher
was not able 10 pull 40 the mare, and the policeman
posted after MIN. When he came up with the gem
tlcman ne arrested him, handed his own Rosi-
mantle to the roundsman OF the district and
went with Mr.. Hecksher in the sleigh 10
the Jefferson Market Police Court Arrived
at the Court the mounted policeman handed Mr..
HecKsher over TO Onlcer Curry, who was or ne
Court squad. This policeman, Instead of ooeyinr
the rules OF the department aud creating tne
prisoner with the
PoIIrENEss AND PATIENCE
which Is expected by the authorities, conduc'ed
himself In rather violent and brutal maD-
ner toward tho gentleman gwen into h,N
charge. He was pushing MIR. Hecksner
into the prisoners pen when Mr.. Heckshor
demonstrated with him and requested
that he might not be put into the box, as there was
q man already locked up there who was suffering
disgusting condition. Mr.. IIeckshcr added that b"
was a friend OF several prominent gentlemen IN the
city, and could give ball TO any amount Tor
his appearance at the proper time. Curry
paid no attention to this, but shut him
up in the pen saying as he did 81,
al have time to fool with you" Another
Court oncer VINO saw the lrregularity or the aaii,
went TO Mr. Houghtaling, one Of the clerks OF the
Court, and told him OF the occurrence. rms gentle
| man at once desired the oihcer To nUerate Ny.
Hecksher IRON the pen ana allow MN to sit in the
Court until the arrival OF me Judge. But this was
| not until The gentleman had been coOped up in
| THE ABOMINABLE DEN
| over half an hour The judicial magnate finally
| sLer was discharged. Now, TINS whole AFFAIR seems
to have been high-handed transaction all through.
| The gentleman could not have committed any OF
| fence ne would not have been discouraged by the
Judge without having been fined. II ne mad com
| TO arrest HIM. When arrested and handed
| over TO the Court policeman he should have
been treated in the manner LAID down In the rules
OF the Department. and IN The rullianly style OF
| Mr.. Curry. And suppOslng that Curry was acting
according to the instructions OF the Court the Clerk
had no authority to release him. The whole mat
ter IRON beginning 10 end Is disgrace TO the po-
ana at oa ae '9 rse 90 N
| that "nasty stye" Is enough
| TO SHOCK THE sENsIBILITIEs
| OF any decent man. and the entire Institution Is
| colossal heap Of NTH. The officials there seem 10
think the place was built lOr their especial benefit,
account, After Mr.. Hecksher's discharge he MADE
q complaint to the Commissioners OF Police against
stated Just 1t has been told here, with the adj
dlton Of one or two mitigating stories on the side
circles as Sergeant McCoomb, who seems to have
RELISH FOR wHITEwAsHyNa
| OFFENDING policemen, appeared before Commls-
soner Manierre, who was investigating the
Ing he answered the nrst question about MS own
| identity. 80 redolent OF brotherly love was the
ana Wonae aa ta ~ q e e
thought what delightful existence policeman
must nave under the md sway Of such sue gentle
BILE witness came to be sllted, however.
was discovered to be- ya na a.
at the time OF the occurrence. Sergeant McCoOmO
had similar little job OF kalsomining to perform
some time before for q policeman who had charge
preferred against him; out III that case as in THIS
the lacquer of the sergeant proved TOO tni1 to stand
the test After hearing all the evidence that
postponed The case, and 1t was subsequently
brought up before Commissioner Bosworth. Add-
tional testimony was brought forward on TINS occa-
| sion, and the matter anally referred 10 the
Board. At the regular meeting yesterday morning
tue subject was brought up, ana
| THE MAYOR
took the case up. On looking into Its merits the
| Board found the officer had violated two imDera-
tive rules OF the department, aud the result was
that Curry was discharged rom the iorce
| This action OF the Commissioners Is most
oppOrtune for 1t will a. positive check upon
Others OF the force who are too much gwen TO teat-
| were convicted CRIMINALS only nt for clubbing or
such other abuse may SUIT the temper OF the peo-
pies servant. For the benefit OF public and the
police the rules under which Onicer Curry was DIS
| charged are given.
They are az fOllOws:-
RULE 432-Each member in bis conduct and department
must be quiet civil and orderly the performance OF bt
duy he must MAINTAIN dec and attention, command OF
temper and patience, be discreet. He a al
times refrain from barsh violent, profane
language and, when required act with nrmness and sum
| Client energy TO perform ms duty.
| RULR 45b-AnV officer roundsman patroman who shal
wiuly ma treat unnecessary violence towards a
prisoner citizen shall complaint being made and the
fact established by competent testimony, Immediately
| missed from office otherwise punished.
| These are excellent rules and IL would be adding
good deal to the comfort OF great many citizens
| II the Commissioners would have them printed ana
hung w In the station houses so That the police
| men may nave an opportunity of constantly keep
| ing them m memory.