New-York tribune., 1880-10-05
INCREASE or THE POLICE FORCE


the numbers of the police is certain to de-
velop variety OF opinions, according to the
information or ignorance of details of those
speaking; but all opinions are apt to be
colorcd and distorted according to the politics
or partisanship of those expressing them.
This is bound to he the case because politics,
not merely city and county, but State politics,
too closely enters into the organization and
too openly influences the direction of the
guardians of the city. For what it actually
accomplishes in the protection of orr citizens
at the present cost the force is too large and
too expensive; to do what it ought to do it
is inadequate in numbers and the appropria-
tion is insufficient. Separated from the de-
moraiizing influences which surround it,
smaller force could better do all that is now
done at less cost /; but the public should not,
and doubtless will not, be satisfied with what
is now done.
II is well known to those associated with
the police how absolutely politics influences
the organization of the force. 1t imposes
first of all four Commissioners where one, un-
influenced by the evcr-changing political com
plexiOn of the City Government, would be
four times az efficient. The evil cOnse-
quences of this political control of the Board
were so glaring in former administrations
that charters had to be framed at Albany
securing a non-partisan commission; and the
last elected Mayor had to pledge himself be-
fore election to maintain its nOn-partisan
character before the minority party would
indorse his nomination. To secure nomi-
nation and confirmation Commissioners have
had to make personal pledges or let their
party managers make them for them. The
disgracciul scandal OF the last attempt to get
rid of Commissioners who were politically
obnoxious to the appointing power, in
volved not merely the City but
the State Executive, and largely
helped to precipitate the Kelly bolt
and Democratic overthrow oi last fall. Legis-
lators from all counties of the State claim
patronage in this city, and get most of it in
the appointment Of policemen here. City
Legislators look upon the force as though it
were organized to care for their hcnchmen
and 10 protect their followers. Few persons
unacquainted with the methods Of appoint
mcnt have any idea Of the power Of State
ana local officials in this matter; 1t il limited
only by the law, which restricts the force to
a certain number, of a certain physical condi-
ton. How demoralzing this mode of appoint
ment Is any one can see for himself.
In an Indirect way also politics affects the
efficiency of the police IN an equal degree
Naturally every prisoner arrested by officers
has to be taken to court. Tn sc petty police
courts are presided over by Judges who reach
their offices tin ough political influence Most
of them are thorough partisans nearly all of
them are prominent in the active manage
ment of their local political organizations and
it unfortunately happens that most of the
political activity in this city is displayed by
classes which without being exactly criminal are
frequently seen in criminal courts on the wrong
side of the bar. Ii thus frequently happens
that a Jealous policeman finds his prisoner
dismissed III the face of good proof and him
self reprimanded for his zeal. 1t is COM
mon thing to see policemen leave court under
the chaprin Of such reprimands from the
Judges, only to meet outside the abuse and
threats of their late prisoners In the cases
of prisoners not disposed of in the lower
courts it often happens that politics saves them
in the Grand Jury room from indictment. or in
the District Attorneys Office from prosecution,
or in the higher courts from deservcdly severe
sentence. 1t is not specially the fault of Dem
ocratic or Republican Judges or District At
torneys. 1t is the fault of the system, and
that fault is aggravated by the too frequent
changes in the partisan complexion of the
various local Offices.
We grow wiser in these matters every year,
though it must be confessed that the growth
is slow; and In the end improvements and re-
forms, compelled by public sentiment, will put
the police force on something akin to busi-
ness basis. We shall yet see an improvement
on the late John A. Kennedy, the best Super
intendent we have ever had, in positive,
shrewd, nom fearing, and honest man, who will, |
as the single head of the force conduct it with
the precision of military organization on the
principle of n business bureau.
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