The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-16

FAVOR OF THE CHANGE.
Several weeks ago Mr.. Piekrell presented
to the Board Of Aldermen plan for re0r
gsnizing the police force. 1t was referred
to the Committee on Police, who at the las
meeting Of the Board reported that it wa:
the Judgment OF the majority. Mr.. Brasel
man, however, presented minority report
which is favored by several other members
OF the City Council, and is as follows:
RICHMOND, VA, May IS, 1878.
TO the Honorable Members Of the Board oj
Aldermen:
Gentlemen,-Hayinec carefully considered
the merits Of the plan for re0rganizing the
police force, most respectfully beg leave
to differ with the majority OF the Committee
on Police, and present the following mi
nority report. l recommend the adoption
of this plan, as presented, as pract1ca
working system. 1t should have the care
iul consideration OF every member OF the
Council. It was no doubt rejected by the
Police Committee upon the report OF the
Chief OF Police and the influence OF Other
police officers, who would be most affected
by the change. 1t is not reasonable to be-
lice officers would favor the adoption OF this
system, or make an impartial report upon
it, because it provides for reducing the pay
OF the Chief OF Police and abolishing The
office OF the captains; therefore it could
not be expected for them to advocate the
adoption of the system, and they were in.
competent to give an impartial opinion on
the subject. I do not doubt but the Police
Commissioners and the members of the Police
Committee who have reported against the
system acted in accordance with their best
Judgment and understanding as to the
merits Of the system, but having taken
much trouble and pains TO inquire and find
out what advantages there are in this sys-
TEN, and getting favorable reports from
gentlemen who have served on the police OF
this city for many years--gentlcmen OF
worth and intelligence. who are not now
connected with the police force-1 feel that
I am prepared to show that the plan merits
all that is claimed for it-economy and efi-
ciency-which are necessary in our police
department.
The plan was framed and presented and
referred to the Board Of Police Commis.
sioners before it was known that there
would be any reduction made in the pay OF
the police force By the Committee on Re-
trencbment. The cost OF the police force
rs provided for under the ordinance Of the
city when this plan was presented was
S79,4I5 for eishty-four officers and police
men, whilst the plan in question only
costs S6S.4S0. for ninety officers and po-
Remembering difference in favor OF
this system, as proposed, OF S10,905 in
cost, and a gain of six additional policemen,
whose services at 81 per day, or $3.50 per
year, would be equivalent to S4,3S0, making
q saving OF S15,375 in favor Of this system
when it was first irtroduced-after it was
offered and referred to the Police Commits
sion, and before any report was made upon
it by the Commissioners OF Police. The
Committee on Retrenchment and Reform
met and made q reduction OF SS,221.25 on
the pay OF the eighty-four officers and Do.
licemen, thereby reducing the expenses OF
the police force to ST, ,253.75 after the 1st OF
July, 1878, which is q saving by the action
of the Committee on Retrenchment OF
So, 221. %, which still leaves in favor OF this
.plan after the reduction So, 1915 cash, and
a gain Of six policemen, whose services at
s. per day would. be $3.50 per year. being
equivalent to S7.153.T5 in favor OF the sys-
TEN, which clearly shows it to be an eco.
nomical one, and worthy OF consideration:
This system dispenses with all sinecure and
useless officers, and provides for six more
policemen to perform active patrolling duty
on the streets. 1t is a matter OF fact that
under the present system we have four COM
handing otficers-the three captains, each
in command OF their respective districts,
and one chief in command OF the whole
1t IS well known that one chief executive
officer is all that is necessary TO command
seventy private policemen. Besides, ne has
ten sergeants. who absolutely perform all the
duties OF their respective districts, in post
ing the men and supervising them on the
streets, and keeping all the police-books ano
serving warrants and other executions. II
is plain fact that either the captains or the
CHIEF should be dispensed with; but II
seems that it is proper that there should bt
one chief executive officer in command OF
the whole force, and not one in each dis
trict, because under the present system, a:
it would be under the plan in question, The
chief executive officer would have six com
petent sergeants always on duty-tWo IN
each police district-and they would, q:
they do now, perform all the duties, as above
stated, and enforce the orders OF the che
executive officer Of the force. 1t is alst
plain to be seen that one officer can perform
the duties Of the clerk to the Chief OF 20
lice and the duties Of the Police Court, anC
his duties would be light and reasonable.
am not aware that the ordinance OF the
city provides for either OF these officers
but I am of the opinion that th'
the authorities, in framing the ordinance
intended that the Chief OF Police should dt
his own writing, and that the clerk to the
Police Justice should call the crlmlna
docket and perform the official duties o
The court during its session.
This system provides for reducing tn
nav of the Chief OF Police to $1,000 pc
annum. In 1860 the chief officer of the po
lice force only received $1,000 per annum
and had to furnish his own horse, II h'
wanted one.
Bv this Reorganization we gain third
relief system, which is greatly desirable II
oll organizations OF men as guards, because
# affords a reasonable division OF time
whereby the men get that rest Whlcn ma
.t11re requires, which is 4 great protection
to their health, and affords them reasonable
domestic comforts, and when posted OF
duty they can do it more efhclently; the.
are not rest-broken and unfit for duty, as
the case under the present system OF WORK
ing the force.
The adoption of this system will prov
both beneficial to the interest OF the citizen
and to every member Of the police force
The plan sets forth the number OF men OIL
the day force and the number on each nigh
relief.
/ will now state the number OF men AM
officers and their distribution, as worked
Seventy policemen, 10 being detailed fror
eat-duty-to wit, detailed and transSerre
to the Board of Health; detailed to act
sergeants, one in each district; 8 detaile
niohNu and daily for station-houSe duty
/ detailed to act as clerk to the Chief OF Pe