New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-13
PROPOSED POLICE CHANGES.
WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS DESIRE FROM THE Leg
STATURE.

WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS DESIRE FROM THE LEG
STATURE.
At the close of the investigations made by
the Legislative Committees upon Crime and The Govern
mont Of Cities last year, IL was thought to be clearly
demonstrated that important changes ought TO 10
made in the regulation and government OF tho police IN
this city Several bills having this end in view were pre-
uared; one or them was by John l. Davenport,
counsel TO tho Senate investigating committee
the most important points OF when were
concnrred in by the Board Of Police. 1t was not pre-
sened until late in tho session. there was not tmo 10
meet the objections TO certain sections and the b was
not passed Gen Smith, President of The Board OF po-
lice stated recently that the necessity recognized q
year ago marked changes in the regulation of tho 20
lice force m existed Inc board had cnieavOrcd to carry
such suggestions for Improvement as were possible
many OF the greatest evils could not be rcmed'ei be-
cause Police Commissioners have not the neeessar!
power.
The present detective force the President sad owed I'd
incfciency its want Of organization. and to tho de-
fectfye system that obliged skilfui officer TO work foi
even less pay than n patroman. The detective norni-
nay received the pay but there was no fnnd from
which to reimburse him for the many necessary ex-
penses. IL is proposed as ono OF tho most impor-
tant features of the bill that Il to be intro
uuced early in the present session Of the Legis-
lature, that the detective department he placed
under the full control OF single officer to no cali
Superintendent OF Detectives. and whose salary is to m
So 900 The force under This officer IA 10 be OF MS
selection, though probably few Of those employ cd
In tbs bureau viii DC regular members OF tho pouce
force one of the drawbacks that the present Commits
soners have conendcd AGAINST has been the fact That
the members Of the present forco OF detectives are
as well known to criminals tbcy are TO their officers
The nav Of the employees OF this branch to he fixed by
the superintendent OF Detectives, but IL not to Xctd
- 500 Ia many instances ii Is expected thai lhe
superintendent ai employ certain geT. OBJ p ri
| =
information probably would not have the slightest CON
c-piinn what this would lead to- ard therefore wound
NOT De able citirr 20 warn TIE criminal or arrange
to compound felony ruud~Gso Is To be provided 10y
the Board of Estimate sDd Apporonment to meet the
III lie a'r 10 DO rev ItSuil 3lf-
pointed members OF this force Tor the PERFORM
aace Of routine duties, bnt this grade WI
President saith aid he believed that if The giola
trc would Grant me power ncesg 90 ma rSi
classes. Thrre was little danger OF mans committing
IA crime wien he believe I'll somebody was watching hni
The two otho- most important provisions OF me pro-
~ ths ronca force by the bOarl ny concurrent vote
Without trial, upon charges duly preferred and the
much onuosiIion IL has been snown President smith
rroyrlnent Of the force, that me. number Of
men be- increased without materially increasing
the cost of carrying On the department, and thai
certain members who are known to be Injurious
10 us best interests but Jns whom no grave charges
can brought. sh,ild be dismissed By the liopoo4d
bill the grazing Of the force is T. apply onyio ihOS3
hereafter exccp; IN case Of an officer guilty OF b1earh
Of discipline who may be- reduced 20 an inferior grade
for that Oicse. All the reEcUt members 81 the ioico
are 20 occupy the first grade. Newly appointed mcr
will be placed in the third GRADE aud reach tie
higher grades by promotion "a they deserve w. houhus
men arr 10 ap. utc from the first grade, SeTScaLts
from RoundSncn Captains from SerGeants ana In
spc"tOr5 from Captains The pay oi Inspectors ~ 10 o
43.JuO year; captains, T2oOV seFgeahts' $i,:VV,
second grade, - 900 ant thru Erdd 5000; Surseoh'
~ zoo The c"mni ,onerS will nk for power to dis
miss members OF the force "l'G0ut triAl dpOh cnEes
regularly preferred, Dut 9y concurrent N"e 81 "i ,o
members of tie board, for the space OF thite