New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-09
POLICE CAPTAIN IN DISGRACE.
TRIAL OF CAPT. W. A. VAN DUsEN, RESULTING IN
his DISMISSAL FROM THE FoRCE-AIS CAREER


TRIAL OF CAPT. W, A. VAN DUsEN, RESULTING IN
MS DISMISSAL FROM THE FoRCE-HIs CAREER
AS AN OFFICER
Capt. William A. Van Dusen Of the Fiji
teentn Precinct placed trial yesterday morning.
before fun Board of Police Commissioners charged
with permitting Officers Henry and Carr of his precinct
to DO locked up all night Aug 80, the premises Of
Theodore Allen at No. 50 Bleecker-st He was harged
also With having knowledge that game of keno" was
being earned on at that place and With falling to stop IT,
Other charges made, showing that one VI the cap
tns detectives offered to release the men. but he was
indifferent The prosecution was conducted by MI.
Mclean, counsel TO the Board.
The first witness Officer Henry OF the Fifteenth
Precinct He testified that the evening OF Aug 30
officer Carr and himself were oreIed by Capt Van Dusen
to 90 10 No. So BeeckeI-st, to Theodore Aliens estaD
shmcnt and place themselves within che heavy door IN
the upper hallway and not allow any to 20 up
stars without following them They went to the house
with Detective Slevin who slowed them the paec Were
they were to remain As they stood there Aen the pro-
p1etor said that should bolt tie heavy door and let
them remain Rhe officers then told Detective
seyin TO ~ the captain and tell him that they
were locked In. fhc detective went away, and Ill about
fifteen minutes returned and said the captain would eonfe
10 their relief in minutes. Toe captain did not 90
TO their relic and they kept under lock and hey
until 10 a. m. the next day.
Detective elevin corrob0rated Officer HenTys testi
mony us Capt Van Dusens Instructions, and said that
when the officers were locked up he went " the station
house ana told the captain what had occurred Tue
latter said be would 30 their relief At midnight Of
Aug 80 the detective the captain ana offered to get
n ladder and get the out oil the WIDOW, but the
captain said ne would let them remain. TIE witness
saw captain the following morning aud asked Lhe
latter what going To do about the officers Tue
CAPTAIN replied, Nothing" Sergt Pickett OF the
eiund InspectiOn District and Inspector McDerDOtt
testified that Capt Van Dusen had been given notice OF
the character OF Aliens place.
Capt Van Dusen his defense said he sent the 0cerB
to the place and told them to and effect IN entrance II
during their duty said nothing about their
ROing inside. He said that Ia tue Afternoon ne lold
Detective Sewn what he intended " do I'D the evening"
and the information given 10 Allen In the meantime
and could have gwen by une except Sewn AT
midnignt when had ended, he told Detective
sIeun 70 GET ladder ana rciease the 9eefs ana sup
Ing Tie witness said bis excuse Tor permitting the
officers to remain ocaed up, that was question
WLetHeF he had right 10 break the doors TO release
them He contradIsted the statements maze by Detec
tive Elevsu two officers, and Inspector McDeflnOtG
Wllm IL. M0llOy, private detective, testified lOr the
deelse that he Detective SleSiu aDOnt midnight OF
Aug 80, latter tell Allen that tue captain
ordered him get ladder and release tue 0ncets IL
then announced by the eODnssiOhes Cbat tAe WIZ
ness resi0ed in Theodore Aliens house.
Gen SnIh then declared the closed ana the dec
sion was reserved. Tue held meeting immediately
after tT1ai and by unanimous vote Capt Van Dasn
was dismissed IRON
Capt. Wilaln A. Van Dusen was appointed Patroman
over 20 years ago, tine influence OF james W.
BoOsh State senator from the Wa Distro he was
prolnot TO rvgndspan, ad in ls2, under the Metru
poitan Police rule, made sergtnt. tie served with
credit in The oTt ros o. 1863 and ais record as an oii
FAIR Mnen the Municipal POllce WAS estab sued
he remained In force, and became capt IN lo72
In the FIRST Precinct Van Duscn made many
frisnGs among bankers and pOke Al tno general
tfapsfer he was into preCinete
Fifteenth Ia thus clLy he lined 10 days pay about
year ago for permitting ganDhng game 10 Do earned
DO made upOn various gambling galncs, Dut without
breaking up the business.