New-York tribune., 1874-08-27
THE DETECTIVE SQUAD.
HOPES OF THE BOARD OF POLICE To OBTAIN MORE
EETICIENT FORCE.

HOPES OF THE BOARD OF POLICE ~ OblALN a Aonr
EFFICIENT FORCE.
The action of the Board of Police in In
structing superintendent walng to report plan for
the REORGANIZATION Of the Detective Squad did not much
astouish the members Of the squad. it having
been their belief for two months past that the
new Commissioners medtated such measure
President Matsen stated yesterday, in reply
to the inquiry of TRIBUNE reporter that their motive
was given Enthusiastically in the words OF the resolution
With view Of securing greater efficiency ana cohn-
dence In the detective service. There had been no
discussion during the meetings OF the Board ID regard
70 the merits or dement's of any Of the detectives
nor had any list been made out OF the de-
tectives who should be sent back to patrol
dutv or shonld remain IN the squad The members OF
the Board had requested the TO draw up
the plan for the reorganization OF the squad because
tney believed that he better acquainted Win tue
defects Of detective system than they would De ater
weeks of inquiry. Tue Board had also ntrusted the
work to the Superb tendent in accordance with their
desire TO invest him with greater powers OF afnlnlsra
ton ran had gwen predecessors One OF the
greatest errors Of Of Police in the past had been
the giving of work which properly belonged to che
supern endent TO some OF the Police Commissioners
TO perform. A new Police Commissioner who might
have been in tue tinware trade all his life, did not
seem 70 have any hesitation in declaring that
he could deal with police matters, WIN JUST
IA
as superintendent Walling made his report
report which would doubtless recommend the transfer
OF some of the detectives to patrol duty. the Commits
soners' rooms would be filled with friends OF the meu
degraded II was 10 be hoped tnat the Commissioners
vould resist any such opportunities and decline inter
feriue with the action of the superintendent Deec
five. of bad character all had friends IN
HIGH official position themselves Of good repu-
ration who would beseech the Commissioners 10
ratain them change must be made In the constitu-
ton OF the squad, however. confidence III IL ia a'!ns
heen undermined. All of the commissioners sa" 'ne
necessity for reorganization. They were not aware OF
any pIan that the superintendent might nave. Waat-
ever plan might be submitted aud adopted, ney hopeu
that the system would be so exceient t1a.
tuture Boards OF Police would Dot oe couRlled
~ reoroanze the Detective Squad. Permanence IN the
,a " .o, and nermauence in ONCE what made the
ce deparments Of European cities superior TO those
~ In,erica Although the heads OF the government
mi ghI be chan ged the police ohcIis roui neo ue
same and thus police experience and lnfOrma'i0n was
nreserved In America, the contrary the ponce ae
,,artments were at mercy OF the party stccessu
E Yearly ELECTION Change and the fear OF chdnge ue
,nor,i,zed the police. The present Commissioners ~
Ned that an excellent detective squad mea.
he nc orgsnized-0ne fully useful AS those or
Furonean cities. II had been urged mat the
Eoropean police had such power 10 regard 70 tue IN
ac,on of houses and the or papers that the
er,can detective force, destitute of such power could
na rrasonable be expected TO be as efficient 10 thls
rsument the reply might be made that the American
1one NOT being accustomed 10 police espionage were
aud therefore more open 10 the advances
OF a properly trained detective