New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-19
How Policemen are NJ ado In New York.
The GrQuhic SAWS:


The hardship and danger incident to the
life of policein al are insufficient to deter
5000 persons n year tr"n applying for stu
atoms on the New York police force. The
pay is 500 In nth. The first step to be
taken by person who is am bilious to wear
the we'll known blue uniform and fat top
ped hat is 10 secure the pI oer mention of
his name TO one of the commissioners by
some Political or otherwise influential
friend Without this his time will DO vast
cd. Upon his proper introduction in this
way there begins Q series of fOrmalities cal
culated to exclude from the force all posi-
BILE forms Of improper characters. In the
first place he is sent into the surgeon's
room for examination. Here q surgeon
Listens to the murmur OF his lungs through q
stethoscope, studies his pulse, and thorough
~ examines him. His stature must be
ct least five feet seven and half inches.
If he is exactly of that height he must weigh
1873 pounds or over, and the circumference
OF his chest must be at least thirty three and
. halt inches. The weight and circumfer-
ence of the chest increase in q printed table
by which the surgeon is guided in his meas
urement as the height increases. Thirty
eight inches is the greatest circumference of
the chest, and is written opposite the height
six feet four inches. The greatest
weight contemplated is 1875 pounds, and is
inches. The least difference allowable be-
tween the measurements of the chest, at
forced expiration and full inspiration, is two
inches. Obesity 10 q cause of rejection,
whenever it exists to the extent o. inter-
fering with the activity and usefulness de-
manded of q policeman on emergencies.
This examination is only made on the
written order of one of the commissioners.
Ii it is satisfactory. the chief surgeon cer-
titles to the fact and then the chief clerk
attaches his signature to tho came paper
So much for the medical examination. The
applicant is then ready to present his petit
ton to the board to be appointed. In this
petition the fact of his examination, with
the result, is stated and ewOrn to. Next he
is given q blank, with q certificate of good
character printed upon the upper half of
the sheet. On the lower part there are
blank spaces for ten names. This certlfi.
cate he is to have signed by ten reputable
citizsns and property owners. When he
chief clerk marks whichever four of these
names he may choose to select. The appli-
cant takes the paper away again and Geek
out two Of the four whose names have been
checked who are willing to come before the
clerk of the board and swear that their
recommendations were made in good faith
and from positive knowledge. After this is
done the applicant is given . paper with q
list OF printed questions, with blank
space beneath each one, where he is expected
to write the answer. The questions re q uire
him to state whether he has ever before
been policeman on any force, whether he
has ever been convicted or arrested, and in
general are SO framed as to make him give
a general record of his life 80 far as it could
affect his standing on the force if he should
be appointed. When he has finished an
swering these questions, which he does
while seated at Geek adjoining that of the
chief clerk, he is requested to write note
on any matter about ten lines in length
When all this has been done the hardest
remains behind. He has vet to endure CROSS
examination by the chief clerk, Mr.. Seth c.
Hawley. The basis of this cross-exam.
lnation is the answers to the questions al
ready given, and the written questions are
so chosen and framed as to enable the ex.
aminer to trip up almost any one who may
attempt to prevaricate or talsify. This is
the fiery ordeal, and concludes the posi-
tive torturing of the victim. Then he has
TO endure the ordeal of hope deferred
which ''maketh the heart sick" He must
60 home and wait for al order from the
chief clerk to report for duty at some
police station desigDa ted in the order.
This may come in a week or three weeks
or not at all. But although his own labors
are over, the police board are not done
with him yet. The captain of the precinct
IN which he lives is ordered to inquire into
his antecedents, reputation and habits of
life. LIST there might be favoritism or neg
lect Of this duty on the part of the captain
the superintendent sends a detective from
the central Office to make the same in
quiries.
ALI of these precautions are said to be
gone through with in the case
Of each applicant.