The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-16
THEY ARE THE FINEST.
The Metropolitan Police Force Organ
lied and Given Rigid Instructions.
What Has Been Done and Will Be Done
The Old Force Retires Gracefully and
Quietly with Few Speeches.

Quietly with Few Speeches.
The metropolitan police are lowering over us,
and with welmeasured "hay-toot, straw-foot'
tread the sentinels of peace sent, without even
the asking, by Legislature overwhelmingly
kind, are now patrolling the streets. AT last the
city is saved. The old force passed out Satur-
day evening in all the simplicity of their unos-
tentatiOus ways. The new force was "mustered
in" with mock military style. The change was
in the nature of complete revolution The
familiar social relations which existed among
the members of the Old force succeeded in
the new organization by restraint of manner and
stiff fOrmality-militaTy discipline, if.you please
1t is noticeable that these metropolitan airs
come particularly awkward to the men who have
learned how to become good policemen without
| any heightened accomplishments, and it is not in
/ the least unnatural unlikely that a Huckle-
berry Finn yearning for old ways will develop
| In time. 1t may be rather hard on some OF these
old veterans to make them white gloves
and clean shirts, but ii is decreed that they will
| never become metropolitans OF the most ap
| proved pattern until they do. 1t is secretly sur
missed that the police board Will have to run
Captain Bob Campbell through a threshing-
machine before they get full dress uniform on
him, and to make him wear white gloves
Will simply break his heart. The pro-
lection of the city from "disreputable women
engaged in open solicitation" demands these
| changes, however, under the metropolitan sys-
| tenn.
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
| Before the old force retired Saturday evening
meeting was held at the station-house. After
delivering their badges TO the chief the men
were addressed by Councilmen Stout ana Brun
dage, of the police board, City Attorney Denny.
| Squire NJ. l.. johnson and Deputy Marshal
Forbes, all of whom spoke piimentarily Of the
efficiency of the force and words appropriate to
the occasion of their separation were expressed.
Chief Williamson and Captains Nicholson, Nc
Gregor and Spann, besides several of the
patrolmen, also spoke briefly. Councilman
Sim Coy, who has manifested a fatherly interest
| in the new system, was present, and offered
few remarks. There were no last sad rites,
| but the meeting was characterized by good
humor The retiring members of the force have
nearly all obtained employment at their trades,
and will at once begin WORK. City Marshal Coul-
and Captain Splann already has a partnership
interest in one OF the best livery stables In the
city,
| At O'Clock tho members of the new force
We're formed in line ia front of the police station,
and were sworn into service by Mayor Grubbs,
after which they were addressed briefly by tho
may or, the commissioners, the city attorney and
the retiring chief OF police. The mayor said he
believed it TO he tile desire I'll see the system
I best re ssSreu chief Williamson spoke
complimentary of the efficiency of members
his so force to ana 5ee in @
of their duties. The following instructions TO
the force read by Superintendent Robbins:
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MEN.
Officers and Men of the Metropolitan Police Force
OF Indianapolis Ind:
BY appointment of the Board Of Metropolitan
Police Commissioners of this city, assume COM
mand as your superintendent
Inef foil la UF1 n "A n n
are announced: Captain Robert Campbell, night
duty; Captain John A. Lange, day duty; ser
geauts, Albert Travis, Andrew Sauers, John
Reed and Thomas Colbert; day turnkey, George
A. Taffe; night turnkey, Timothy j. Clark.
Special assignment Is made OF Michael ODon-
6ell, with rank as sergeant, as deputy FOR the
superintendent at the Mayors Court and on the
Common Council aud Board of Aldermen.
The city is divided into three divisions. The
first west division Will comprise all tnat part
west of Illinois street. Russell avenue and South
Meridian street. The second or northeast di-
vision, all that part north and east of Washing
tpu ana Illinois streets. Third or southeast di-
| vision, all that part southeast of Washington
| and Illinois streets, Russell avenue and South
Meridian street. Until further orders at night
Sergeant Reed is assigned to the command of
first division, Sergeant Colbert of second and
Sergeant SAVERS of third, and Sergeant
Travis is assigned to day duty. These officers
will be obeyed and respected accordingly. When
TWO or more OF same rank come on duty to-
gether the one whose time of service has been
| longest will have command. The present rules
ana regulations continued in force until
changes announced. 1t is not proposed TO
| make any radical changes in the conduct of
the force until observation and experience
satisfy us what is the proner change to make.
In general terms, IL Will be your first and highest
duty, at all times, TO preserve order and arrest
any person in the act OF violating the laws or
ordinances. 1t will be your duty to arrest any
disreputable women engaged in open solicita-
ton on the street. Whenever you learn that
wine-rooms are attached to saloons with doors
| to be fastened for disreputable purposes, you
will report the name and location to the superin
| tendenU A careful note Will be taken of suspi-
o
1 for the benefit OF the force.
wish to impress on the minds of those who
are new men that You must pay no attention to
any rumOrs of the intention OF your officers. All
orders will be issued by the board through the
superintendent at once on their decision, and SO
plainly TO need no explanation.
All complaints to the board by the force will |
come through the superintendent, and receive |
his Endorsement before being presented to the |
board. With reference to your persons, it viii |
be REQ uired that every one must go duty with
clean clothes and BACKED boots or shoes; that |
each officer shall salute his superior officer in
addressing him, which shall be acknowledged. |
Familiarity will not be tolerated. When on duty |
let IL be- your constant care TO be attentive and
polite to every one, and especially to strangers
asking information. Restrain your tempers. |
Refrain from iujuring prisoners if possible. |
Never retreat surrender. Smoking or sleep |
ing duty will not be permitted. Drinking
while on duty Will be a cause Of punishment
must not enter or lounge i'll any house, unless
their duty requires IL.
In case of fire alarm, all members of the force
that may he within siA squares of the box will
Immediately repair thereto and render such as 4
sstance TO the fire Department. as may be neces-
sary. The ranking officer present will take COM
mand and will be held responsible. On a second |
alarm, all members Of the force within mile 4
will report at once. Every man will attend any
alarm in his own district.
l wish you to especially remember that while
in accordance with the law under which you
have been selected, it was necessary to know \
your politics. yet can say most heartily for the |
board and myself that politics was not thought
of when deciding upon your fitness for duty;
nor will 1t ever have a moments influence in
deciding any question that may arise; nor shall
personal fear or fnvor have aughJ TO do in re-
moving any man who performs his duty Keep in
mind the word duty. The board earnestly de-
sires that the metropolitan force of this city
thA haaf in fha