Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-15

some Esea0rms suggested Dy Ratroi.
men
In one OF our police station houses a few
nights ago the recent publications in reference
to tho police force were under consideration.
and the various modes suggested for improving
the force and the causes for complaint were
canvassed. One officer remarked that there
was no use of denying it, but there must be a
change made at least IN the system If not in the
personnel. or the burgaries would continue.
''What would be your first suggestion?" asked
the reporter.
WHY hang it, would change the uniform
There is no use OF soldier police anyway and
the uniform wear is an advertisement. just
look at this coat What kind of protection does
il give man! Cut with slit. We don't want
any fashionable coats Then we have only one
pocket OF use. and that so high mp that in a
scuiile ten chances to one it cannot be got at
except To the offender. Why. have sometimes.
with my partner attemoted to bring a refrac-
tory man to the station and if he resisted and
one called for the nippcrs it seemed an hour
before they cOuld be brought out. ard in the
meantime the one holding the prisoner was
getting pummelled and possibly in self-detense
was clubbin. the prisoner-all of which might
have been prevented if the pockets OF the coat
had been in the proper place"
SUGGEs Ton ABOUT UNIFORMS.
''What style OF coat would be the best:" was
asked.
well. to commence" said the blue coat, ''the
whole uniform should be changed. We should
dress more like other people 1t. perhaps, is
well enough to have some neat uniform tor day
service-parades and receptions, debut for
night any color which is not too much unlike
the citizens. Give us a dark ulster. in the
pockets of which the pistol could be carried, as
also the baton and nippeTs. and fur cap to
cover the ears. DID you ever hear of such alb
surdity as the order about our hats? Sometime
ago we had little numbers our hatS-and by
the way. the very share of the hats may be dis
tnguiShed by a thief ii square of-buJ now We
wear the big numbers. twice as large as the old
ones. and they must be kept bright so they can
be seen 10y the thief. In addition, white cords
have bren adopted. Then there is the wreath
on the i.at and buckle both to be kept bright.
OfcOurSe. one has to make good show on the
streets. even il he never catches thief. Be-
sides the uniform ami trimmings being such as
TO give notice to thieves, We have too much
military rule"
What DO you mean by that?" asked the re-
porter.
why. there Is too much red tape; too much
regularity. and with the beats as large as they
are at present. by the time man walks around
once. or not more than twice he is doing a
good deal The thieves know the policemans
duty as Well as any member of the force and
borhood. and then operate"
How To GET GOOD OFFICERS.
Somebody spoke of the system of watching
the privates.
We'll" said another officer. there is no
doubt that some men will not attend to their
duty if they get an opportunity to shirk, and
when man needs watching the sooner he is off
the force the better. Most of the officers will
nj nd f.i+ fT1l
were doing a private job. Such men don't
need watching. Don't put on any more SIS
men. but pay a man a good salary and YOU will
md gentiemen-l mean men of inteority-ap-
plying for positions and they will rid the city of
thieves. They can't do it, however, under the
present system. which is neither police system
or military one. 1t is q sort OF half breed
Ii there We're few DISCUSSES at the station it
would be better still. for we could fix up so the
thieves would not know US. and there would be
less crime because We would be able to make
more arrests -
What about your shield? Is Ii not neces-
sary that il should be worm" was asked.
'-Oh. the badge can be easily arranged. It Ia
simply an emblem of our authority. but it never
ought TO be used as at present. The detectives
wear II on their Suspenders, and why would Ii
not do for Us. especially at night, to wear it
under the lapel or within the bosom of a coat
having il handy, so that it can be easily shown
IL Is not necessary one time in ten now to show
H. iol VIC are all We'll Known. IL IS only the
strangers who do not know u.s."
THE DETECTIVES.
speaking of detectives" said the reporter.
''would you abolish the f0rce-haye none:"
Not much" said the first blue coat. ''but I
would make change in the system. think
that instead of the detectives being under one
head, that there should be one in each precinct.
answerabie to the lieutenant first andthrough him
to the major | don't know but that detailed
officer for the purpose would be all that is
wanted The present detectives were all privates
once. and don't know but if they each were
held responsible for some one precinct but that
they could work better with the men and that
II would be better than the present system
AT this point third officer remarked Give
our heutenants a little more power: allow them
TO WORK their precincts as they deem best and
there will be less cause for complaint To
thunder with all this military red tape rule
What Is the use of the drill we had: Draw
baton etc. knock right knock left and
thoiding the baton III peculiar positionO This
Is the way TO stop brick. We recognize the
necessity OF sergeants. and most of them are
good men, who can that the red tame is
worse than useless Look at us now going on
our beats. Every thief in the precinct in half
an hour will know where we are, and by the
buttons and figures can see Us four squares Off
There ought not to be a button exposed"