Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-23
Our Police Force.

Recent issues Of The STAR have contained in
terviews with policemen which deserve mere than
a mere passing notice. These interviews show
that the pr1vates the force realize the defects
OF the existing system and that they would gladly
have these defects reneyiieo. More than that
these enquiries developed the fact that there are
men among the force capable OF pointing out the
way to remedy existing evils. There seemed to be
quite unanLInity OF spnt:meLt among the men as
&c the existence OF 'too much red tape" In o. her
words, according 10 these officers, instead OF a
plain. simple and practical system, we have a
cumbersome end complicated one, ia which
there IS too much attempt to en-
force military methods The uniform Is
pronounced too shoyy. It Is in such marked con-
frast with everything ordins rly by civilians
that the THE. or Other offender recognize the
Officer by night as wei as by day. This conspicu-
business of the policemen, II Is urge by the men,
gives TO thieves an aivlntage, and great one,
over the thi af-cltchcr There is sound sense, tcO
In the suggestion o. one efficer. that the pay
allowed should be sufficient to induce good men
TO take service or the force. This is question
that has been dis used the District committees
or Congress on several occasions, and the best
judgment OF those committees has Invariably
been that there was no economy In fixing the
pay OF the police at a figure so low that
none who could obtain Other employment
would seek The service. Another evil IN con-
nrctien with the police force Is men,
toned, which all the men seem to agree. inter
fe-es, especially during the social season here
with those duties which prop riy belong to the
force IL is the custom OF d.taiiiny policemen TO
attend receptions. a sort q guard OF honor.
The higher the rank. official or social, OF the
party giving the reception or other entertainment,
the :r4er must the Let il De under this custom,
and while the policeman should be on his beat
aad prGtecffn the people, he Is employed in the
unacceptable duty Of opening carriage doors for
arriving and departing guests The opinions and
suggestions cUnttinsd In the interviews referred
TO are D-sed upon experience, and are Therefore
entitled To cons .deratioa. Instead Of the present
snowy AMI gagiy Haiform one not differiog very
materially frnH ordinary civilian apparel Is sug-
gesfed OF course, there must be uniformity
In the dress of the polite force but there Is
In mixing the officer IS conspicuous general
OF tn army, In full RI, by means of plentiful
supply OF brass buttons, gilt lace tinsal, yellow
hat cords, etc. One OF the interviewed officers
says: cit is certain va could get much nearer a
thief in less Snowy uniforms" The develop
mf MS brought to light since the citizens iaves-
tisation OF the detective force was inaugu:ared
have startled the people OF the community.
There is a general feeling OF Insecurity, and 1t
VIII not be set at rest until something Is done
towards increasing the efficiency OF the police
force NhethFr !: bHcon, IS necessary to make
cOmrl:te reorsaniz lion or not remains 10 be de-
TRIMMED. Is reasonable however, to conclude
that the authorities will not delay in correcting
SOME OF the garing defects that have been pointed
out.