New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-04
IMPROVING THE POLICE FORCE.

SUGGESTIONS FOR REORGANIZATION.
VIEWS OF FORMER COMMISSIONER - CHANGES
PROPOSED TO SECURE GREATER EFFICIENCY
AND ECONOMY.
An ex-POlice Commissioner, in conversation
Monday with a reporter of THE TRIBUNE. very
emphatic In his assertion that the Police Department
needs reOrganizing.
Row wonld You organize the Police CommissionP'
he asked.
1.-THE Board should be composed OF an odd number OF
Commissioners" he replied. by this means the re-
sponsblity placed where 1t belongs. The majority OF
tie Board then be held accountable for It's acts
There is why this should not be done. The
Board was made non-partisan on the ground that no
unfair advantage should be taken at elections. Tho
Registry Law provides for this, and guards against
fraud sne-sded appointments. ItprOydes that two
OF the inspectors OF election shall be named by
the majority OF the Board and two bv the
minority State issues, so that one Commissioner
could as well look after the rights OF the political mi
noriiy as two. There is no other question which re-
quires that an even number Of each party shall const
tute the Board BY having odd number in the Board
all dead-ocks aud tie votes are avoided"
"what about promotions and dismissalsi Would not
the majority be abb 10 promote transfer whatever
they pleased without reference to the wishes OF the
minority !"
"No. The transfers should be made by majority Of
the Board but ali promotions from the rank OF captain
upward should require a unanimous vote The cap
tans have power In their precincts by controlling
the awless classes and in good part the liquor interest,"
and If the power OF promoting were vested In the ma
jory a great deal OF political pressure would be
brought 10 bear on H. Much OF this OF thing is done
now but political pressure would then BE- very much
greater OF course, have the police force efficient, 1t
requires that politics should eliminated Tar pos
sible."
What about the finances OF the BoardP
1.-THE financial system Is an anomaly. All the audits
and payments are made by the Board itself instead OF
by the Department OF Finance in direct contrast To all
the other departments of the city government. The
Board has the right to each month onetwelfth OF
the annual appropriation made by the Board OF Esti
mate and Apportionment. Nevertheless, the latter
Board claims the right in the annual estimate TO fix the
special amounts TO be paid for salaries etc. at the Cen
trail Office for the payment OF the uniformed force for
the maintenance of stations etc. The present system
entails the necessity of keeping double set of books,
and as matter course, double set Of clerks at
Police Headquarters and the other in the Controllers
office. causing additional expense To the taxpayers.
There should be- OF course only one dsbursng depart
ment under the city and county government"
"What DO you think OF the system OF inspection dis
trctsi"
saving III were abolished. The system OF inspection
officers and districts is an application of military idea
ing over vast distance, with complex form of local
reaching into several counties an cted by
calltics the partition Of tho city into such districts
might be advisable, in tie City of New-York with its
comparatively these divisions tend rather
toward conflict OF authority and demon
azation of the force Under the present system the
lation of the captains OF the precincts To the Supcn
tendcnt IA in many cases indirect and intermediate
Inspection offices have been established, fonr
Office having its sergeant. ronndsman and COM
plement ~ men assist the Inspector in charge Re-
turns are made the precinct to the Inspectors
Office, and duplicate returns to The superin 'ndent at
afiu from rap
at Police Headquarters now held at second hand
indeed one nsecton Office with s quota OF officials
is established AT Police Headquarters Just across tho
hall from the superintendent office The abolition o.
these officers would material expense oring
into close relations those who the officers
Of the force The uspectors would then he returned 10
proper duties They should have the came relation
the superintendent that sergeants IN the precincts
have to the captains There should be an inspec or
in constant Attendance at the Central Ohice desk.
The otcrs should attend TO inspection duty under the
immediate direction or the Superintendent. Under n
rule of the Board adopted about two years ago, the
captains are prohibited from coming Police Head
quarters except IN extraordinary when sent Tor
6y the Super ntendent or Commissioner. think that
the CAPTIONS sergeanis III command OF precincts
should report daily To the superintendent matters
cerninE police business Ia their several precincts. Under
proper restrictions this plan would produ harmony OF
pur and uniformity OF acton, The restriction was
IN ade It IL alleged the captains the
nabit of meeting daily at Police Headquarters. calling
on the Commissioners and caucussing among them
what about the effort of the Board of Estimate and
App0tionmcnt to reduce the expenses al the Central
"Thc Chief Clerks office think is well managed now.
The Board OF Estimate and Appointment have cut
down app opraton for the salaries OF the clerks,
telegraph operators. cleaners. etc., from $4,000 to
$4,000 Expenses might be lessened by reduction Of
salaries and by dispensing with two clerks but
do not believe You have effective service In this
bureau for less tnan $50 00J per annum."
What you think Of the present system OF street
cleaning and the manner In which IL should be con-
Quoted e.
"Tle work OF cleaning the streets should be taken
from the Police Department and Dnde bureau 10y IT.
sell or transferred the Department Of Pubic Works.
The appropriated is inadequate To perform the
work properly under the present system
pared say that II be done for the present
aunua under different system,
properly under he present The material
Old and much OF II Ia The force s -ui
ceBt. On the occasion OF slight blow II IA
the mems lives worth To outside on the 10
dump the dirt beyond the line required by law One OF
gravest problems which confront the officers OF the
Cleaning Bureau IL how TO get the refuse
where II can be thrown overheard, to be- washed
away ty the tide. The tugs and totally In
adequate except In ne weather Under the present law
beyond 81 900 can be made, 80 that
undertake clean part OF the city by contract
The streets Ia bad condition There IL no question
about that But the police are little chary about
porting the condition Of the streets. When tho
same power which appoints promotes officer II
responsible for cleaning the streets 10 likely that the
officer Will look too closely at their condition Z"
WELL HIr.-Farmer Ito Mossoo, whose gur
has gone on by AccldenU; Here. ar say, thats owe
bad there's o. them shots clean hro ught