New-York tribune., 1879-11-01
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
POLICEMEN AND THEIR CLUBS.

NEITHER PISTOL NOR BATON TO BE TAKfN IN HAND
EXCEPT IN CASE OF NEED.
Commissioner FrencRs proposed rule requiring
policemen to carry their clubs when on duty. III
the belt and not in their hands, the nam topic
of discussion at yesterdays meeting of the Police
Board. Commissioner MacLean stated his prefer
ence for rule requiring captains to prefer charges
against any officer who shall draw his pistol or
use his club on a citizen except III seit-deience
Superintendent WallIng was summoned to advise
with the Commissioners upon the subject. His
opinion was that on general principles it would be
well to restrict the practice in vogue among police
men of swinging their clubs while on patrol. while
the enforcement of rule to that effect would bring
about some inconvenience from the fact that belts,
which alone are strong enough to bear the heaVy
nipbt-sticks are not worn in the Summer.
An amendment was at last adopted requiring that
neither pistol nor baton shall be taken in the
hand of the officer except in case of need" kule
259 was amended to read captains shall make
charges against any patrolman who while
ON duty shall draw his pistol a citizen use his
club y; the right OF the officer 70 his weapons on
the particular occasion TO be judged OF by the Board
al his tTlal. . n, ooo
Ou motion of Commissioner MacLean, Rule DO
which requires that captains be held strictly re-
sponsbe for the preservation OF the peace III shelr
nrecncts was amended by the Insertion of the word,
''and for the cleanliness of the streets" This sub
seaueutly became the subject OF much discussion
in the Department 1t j. argued that this is vir-
tualy throwing the responsibility now resting upon
Commissioned MacLean, as the head or the street
Cleaning Department, upon the shoulders OF the
captains.
Commissioner MacLean presently moved that
Captain Williams be ASSIGNED to duty in the Street
Cleaning Bureau. that Captain Washburn take his
place IN the weny-nnth Precinct, and that CAPTAIN
nedden. at present IN the StTeet-C leaning Depart
ment succeed Captain Washburn in the Twentieth.
The vote of the Republican Commissioners defeated
the notion and Mr.. MacLean substituted resolu-
tiOn transferring Captain Hedden TO the twenty
ninth and Captain Williams to the STRENGTHENING
Bureau. his also failed, and Commissioner
French stated hls objection, before expressed. to
transferring Captain Williams while the charges
against him had not yet been tried. He had asked
the District Attorney TO press his case to speedy
issue
sHe nav never bring it to trial." remarked Com
missioner MacLean, dryly.
Some routine business intervened and Comms-
sIoner Morrison, taking position III direct opposi-
tion To Commissioner French moved 10 relieve
Capta,n Williams from the command of the Twen-
fy-nuth Precinct until the conclusion of his trial
Jury the senior sergeant III his precinct 10 be in
charge meanwhile.
Commissioner Wheeler proposed to grant him
leave of absence instead. Both motions were
lost. ~
"CaIl the yeas and nays on my notion said Mr.
Morrison.
That retorted Commissioner French. rising,
with "a motion to adjourn, rs hardly necessary.
Call it no for Mr.. Wheeler and me. and aye for
these two gentlemen,' pointing to Messrs. MacLean
and Morrison.