New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-24
QUESTIONABLE POLICE METHODS.
A CASE WHICH ONE COMMISSIONER COULD HEAR
BETTER THAN ANOTHER.

BETTER THAN ANOIHER.
Commissioner Voorhis heard testimony and
passed Judgment yesterday on 81 complaints against
patromen accused by superior officers OF disobey-
ing the department regulations Most Of the COM
plants we're not serious nature, but still SUI
cent in point OF number TO do much harm to the dis
eplne of the department. Commissioner Voorhls, ID
short speech addressed the officers trial, said that
no person could walk half mile in either direction
from Police Headquarters without observing the utter
disregard by policemen Of the rules OF the department
since he had acquainted with the regulations this
reckessness Of patromen had filed him with shame ana
modification. The Police Commissioners were deter
mined 20 raise the standard Of the Department they
had to dismiss half the force and by this determination
the members of the department would do well 10 guide
their conduct.
Patroman william A. Starr OF the Ninth Precinct was
accused OF being drunk Sept 3. The testimony Of
the accused his concerning the charge was
far more interesting than is usual with cases of this
nature revealing did, of the methods by which
the influence Of politicians is used 10 protect officers
from punishment for misbehavOr Shortly after noon
ON sept g.. Patroman Rowley OF the Eighth
Precinct, arrested quarrelsome drunken man
at the corner of Houston and Greene-sts. The
man resisted and the officer compelled TO grasp him
by the shoulders with both hands order 70 hold him
While the prisoner in this almost defenseless posi-
ton Patroman Starr then in citizens Dress and
struck the face, knocking him down. Patrol
eyed that Starr while attempting to the prso
ner had accidentally struck MIN. BE therefore turned
upon starr and struck him the forehead with his
club INJECTING a slight wound. Starr, who was
also drunk. then struck at the officer. fierce
struggle followed, ending In RowleY's over
coming Starr. Meantime the prisoner had
escaped Rowey took Starr TO tho Prince-st.
Station house. and there preferred charge OF ntoxica-
ton and disorderiy conduct against httn Sergeant
Brown saw that drunk and after entering the
charge boter told the doorman 70 lock up the
prisoner Of the cells. Surgeon Cook altar
ward summoned dress STAIRS wound, and perceived
that the man drunk. Just as Starr being put
in cell, he told the doorman that he was policeman
the Sergeant accordingly searched Starts pockets but
could not mud shield The Sergeant then autographed
10 the Niuth Precinct and made inquiry regarding the
prisoner In reply the Ninth Precinct Sergeant tee-
sraphed that Starr indeed officer but that be
had handed IN his resignation the nghs before, and
surrendered hts shield
Later In tbs afternoon Of the day, when Starr
had IN recovered from the effects OF his de-
bauch ne taken Dy Patrolmsn Rowey before JUS
toe Morgan 81 the Jefferson Market Police Court Row
lev stated facts narrated sbove but Juoe Morgan
DISMISSED the complaints and released tho prisoner
Three days afterwsrd Starr went 70 Police HeAq uar-
sers and seeknG out Commissioners Duryo stated tess
he wished wfthdraw the rosiguation- Commissioner
furyee rave the shield Starr, and die ofoer has
s,nce been duty AT tbe Trial yesterday. starr so
that he considered that be handed In nfa
rrrixussaou be ceased 70 Be Q policeman; shss
be soesrdinxiy tonsd party h1ants eeoe
upop pleasure, and became Infatuated; nat
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