New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-28
TILE NEW POLICE BILL.

THE NEW POLICE BILL.
PRESIDENT SMITHS EXPLANATION OF THE BENEFITS
TO BE DERIvFD-oPPosIToN TO PART OF THE
BILL BY MEMBERS OF THE FORCE.
One of the chief topics of conversation at the
Police Central ONCE yesterday was the new foce oii
which has been offered ut Albany With the exception Oh
that portion that relates the grading Of the patrolmeh
the bill generally approved President Smith Saiu
that the bill had been drawn with the view opachg the
police OF this city such condition as TO prevent crime
and secure greater economy in the service The Pres
dent added
"The newly appointed patroman Is like an apprentice
employed in any trade, aud should not receive 'he
price Of skilled journeyman The city has heretofore
been paying too much the services Of these newly APP
pointed The hill proposes to make the pay OF
this grade $500 year. instead Of 81 1900 as 1t Is at
present 1t is easy Ply looking over the force that
no matter how particular the Commissioners may be IN
making their selections for appointment there VIII 10
many members of the force who VIII never he aDe 10 40
more than the routine Of their duty, and watch that
property that they charged to protect These men
may make excellent fighting material. and will no
doubt carry the orders OF their superiors, but
they will never show that higher intelligence
that shoSd be possessed by those who perform moro
difficult duties than paroling The pay proposed ior
Of this second grade $3.50 year. ana the city can
find plenty of who fully meet the requirements OF
this grade at that rate Of wages. The highest grade
of patrol uen are to receive II 200 Tue best discipline
and highest intelligence must be shown to enable an
officer to reach this grade. From this class are 10 DC
selected the superior officers who may be promoted In
regular or der rs their merits may justify Roundsmen
TO receive $3.50 year, an increase OF 800 Inc
pay of sergeans is TO be increased to 1880 and that
of captains TO $4,000 The whole responsibility of all
the police business each precinct devoves upon the
captain. Compare his duties with equally responsible
positions in the mercantile community or IN other dc,
parmens of the City Government and 1t VIII he tonhd
10 SC only fQlr Tpm
service required The Commissioners wish to be able to
offer just compensation and then hey can compel sncn
mertOrOus service Is called for by the public from
man i'm this position Those captains who are 10ud 10
be incompetent unable for any reason to keep up hfr
precincts To Of discipline that Is for the best IN
teress az the department will be called upon 10 give
The BIZ also calls" President Smith continued for
number OF inspection districts but make Inspector
sort of deputy superintendent lie is 10 be on duty
during the dav, and will take from the superintendent
great deal Of that routine work upon which now ne is
obliged frter away his time to the detriment OF Inc
beat interests OF the department The detective service
j. TO he entirely rcOrganzed. The superintendent OF
Detectives have complete control OF his force and
will be held responsible for their work He
and can plan execute the work of the department
according 10 his own views He can employ persons
detectives TO work out single case ana pay mem IQr
that work when it is done TAG pay OF me aetecVss
the supeIntc OF Detectives VIII nave many men ~
his employ VINO will never he known as being connected
with the police ana VIII not come 10 te foGe OtntIIl
ONCE either TO report or 10 receive orders nnc 7ui
utenden of Police is 70 be the executive officer OF te
force. and the sap -rntenden OF detectives VIII ne III
recily responsible 10 him, though 1t is not ex-
to do with the details OF any of the WORK
IL should he made felony for person To
assault officer lie the law and should he respected
accordgl The law recognizes the TACT that the carry
ing Of burglars tools in the night j. mlsuemeahof, bnt
the LEG stature should make II felony for person 10
be caught carving burglars tools and deadly weapon
any kind, for the burglar always goes 10 MS Work pre-
pared to commit murder. Officers should also laye the
mower to arrest criminals when seen III crowd M any
time. The Criminals Registration act also would
obliged to inform the superintendent of Police of
his dwelling place, and then his movements can De io-
lowed and crime prevented II he does not give ls re-
nuird information let him be arrested the first time he
is seen by officer and sent the Island ii nc wishes
10 reform viii tCd ny the police, ana the very
information he gives To the Superintendent will he used
for his benefit II the Legislature VIII give the Commits
this power they VIII soon DC able 10 COhlOl the
criminal and dsOTdcry classes in this city, ana can guar
antee greater security to the property and persons OF
citizens than they have enjoyed for many years"
In speaking Of The detective work III this city, one OF
the inspectors said the moment large burglary or ROD
berry committed the perpetrators OF the crime asteh
sauandcr the proceeds at the faro Dank or upon women
of bad character. In this direction the sk1I detective
has tie best channels Of information 10 lead 10 the re-
covery Of the property and the punishment OF the crni
nal For this work money is required, and 1t IS also All
s0utcly necessary that the officer should not be known
as connected with the police. The new bill offers OppOr-
unites watch these classes that arc not possible AT
present. Many crimes would doubtless be prevented ny
The surveillance that could be exercised.
1t understood that many members OF the force are
opposed 10 the bill account OF the proposed
grading Of parOmeu. Ii SAID that $4,000 is being
raised defeat that portion OF IT, at least Ihs money
Is be subscribed BY those who fear being reduced To
n lower grade, who argue that they had better spend
500 to defeat bill that would strike 800 year from
their pay