The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-25
OUR DEMORALIZED POLICE.
An Old POliceman's Internationally OF
Entire Reorganization.
NEW YORR March 23 1874

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The brutality OF nv associates, members of the
police force impels me to offer you few remarks
Their conduct should call forth all the attention OF
the people, or many more murders may yet be
committed by them. Now is the time to act. The
Legislature Is In session. and through the voice OF
the people Will be enabled to make laws reorganiz-
ing the police force of this great city.
l. as one OF the citizens OF this commu
nifty, feel deeply interested In It's welfare; and
although hold a position in the department am
willing for the sake OF the general good, to risk
my chance for reapp0intment II a reorganiza-
ton takes place. will give you few points why
reorganization Is necessary. AS q rule police
men should hold ONCE during good behavior, but
in this present Generalization of the force all
should be legislated out.
The causes OF the recent police outrages have
their origin IN appointing commissioners who
have not proper knowledge OF police duty and
who have not true knowledge OF human nature.
and in the character OF the applicants for posi-
ton on the force being not sufficiently looked into.
They pretend TO do so, but know it Is q mere
matter OF form. A candidate generally succeeds
In obtaining his position through political in
1uences; the character OF the man, his knowledge
ofhuman nature or his ideas Of justice, well as
the general knowledge of his responsibilities, are
scarcely ever examined or inquired into.
The mode OF promotion is 'demoralizing In its
practice The onicer who makes the most com.
plants against patrolmen for alleged violation of
the rules generally stands highest for pro
motion; consequently. each officer aims to
Guido the other. Many OF their reports
are made without regard to justice or
demOralizes both the officers and the men under
their control. In like manner sergeants are made
apaas Which produces n% IKE results have
GATES nave 0utnumbered them LII making COM
plants against parolmen, to leave the station house
TO patrol The precinct, not with sense OF public
duty. but for ''bOod," which was their own ex-
preston for seeking complaint against patrol
man. How can such men, with sucn ideas per-
form their duty in any other way than by
.blood." which they SO much cultivate
the hardshlps' OF patrol duty. seldom decide with
business IN case OF an officer against q patrol
cation. The whole machine should be reorgan.
lzed-new commissioners, new captains, sergeants
Ioun round and patroimen; All worthy Officers
any better until this Is dOne 1t is rotten to the
core, and it must have new material to build it up.
SpaSmOdlc efforts Will he OF no avail.
Policemen should be chosen from among the
soberest and most enlightened class OF our fellow
men who would perform their duty with sense
OF justice rather than for q mercenary motive
human nature. They will then know how to govern
the men under their command. and their &C tons
will have tendency to create an elevated tone
in the minds OF those under their control Their
conduct should be an example to evidOers as well
rs TO law ABIDING CltlZenS
have had many years. experience as q patrol
man and many years. experience as commanding
officer, and know the importance and power OF
character when performing the responsible duties
OF policeman. l know OF many instances when a
tumultuOus crowd has been quoted. when they
were merging into riot, by the firm and calm de-
meanOr OF two three experienced and compe-
tent officers, and this without the use or their
sunday that Mr.. Commissioner Gardner says he
wants "brutes'' on the force; that u policeman
WHO stands quietly by under prOvOcalon he does not
&
Insult to common sense, and Is Ia entire conflict
whose experience entities them to credit for their
knowledge. MIR. Gardner has been my superior
Officially nearly one year. What can ne know com
nave performed police duty for the past eighteen
years? have never yet found it necessary to use
The club except In a case OF riot. have always
instructed policemen under my command to keep
perfectly cool under provOcation. Their duty is to
need not be less firm IN the performance OF their
duties when listening TO such prOvOcation MIR.
would prefer to be under my command while am
connected with the department. Mr.. Gard.
ner gts at the laws show n. what at
punished Tor any offence he may commit The
law says That no persons shall take the law In their
own hands, except in case OF Sel-defence Sucn is
Although Mr. Gardner is officially nv superior
shall continue to act according to the knowledge
obtained by my long experience and sense OF JUS
tIce and love OF the law, as well as Of humanity,
to bear with some provocatiOns from my erring
fellow citizens rather than unnecessarily club
them and thus imperil their lives. l have re-
celved testimonials from the government of the
United States for distinguished services while on
the field OF battle; this was many years ago, and
have yet to learn that brutality is noble or brave
Now to the remarks OF General Duryee, who SAYS
drilling is all that is required to make the force
what it should be. What wonderful wisdom AS II
Fright FACET or fright about" or 'Jump jim Crow"
was going to instil a moral principle into mans
mind Does he reflect that the police force was
created for the purpose Of arresting criminals and
to prevent breaches OF the peace and to detect
crime, and that they are peace officers, and not
military men? Their time should not be taken up
In drilling The force has duty enough to attend to
without attending drills. The men should have
time Tor recreation well as Tor work. ana if all
the spare time OF the force Is taken up in drills it
Will tend to generalization as well other
have before mentioned.
have been soldier, and know some OF their
duties Drilling is good for soldiers in the field, as
they operate in large bodies. 1t is not so neces-
sary for policemen, Tor their duties most
generally performed when alone At any rate,
too much attention to drills will destroy
the efficiency Of the force in the performance
OF their legitimate duties. AS can not approach
those in power over me and let them know my
views, therefore present them to you, to give my
aid to enghten the public IN matters connected
with the police department. Respectfully
CHARLES CATCHEM.