Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-08
THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS,
With the Advice of the City Attorney,
Lay Down the Law to Officers.

| Lay Down the Law to Officers.
Yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, the
Board of Police Commissioners met for the
! purpose of instructing the newly-appointed
81 ecials as well as the regular officers in re-
gard to their duties. City Attorney Ander-
son was req, ested to be present and advise
the officers of tb.eiir duties under the law.
more particularly the recent gambling en-
actments.
Mayor Brown stated thai tn princlpai
object of this meeting was to enforce the
gaming laws and ordinances; that the peor
pie looked for the enforcement OF the law
to the letter, and no excuse would be re-
ceiyed for any default of the officers. If
those selected cannot exact an obedience,
then they will be removed and others put
in their places. Let the officers throttle the
games at once when they appear, and there
will be but little trouble thereafter.
Chief Jackson called upon the men TO
follow the instructions and obey the law
by compelling strict observance of all the
provisions. Each member of the force has
been furnished with u copy of the law and
ordinance, and a child could understand its
import. Arrest any one who attempts any
violation Of the gaming laws, as well as all
other intractions of laws or ordinances.
He said lie would make his details so as to
insure the greatest efficiency, and expected
every officer TO report TO him promptly all
things occurring in the city of & criminal
nature.
Judge Henry sanctioned what had been
said by his fellow Commissioners, and
added that when officers made arrests it is
important to secure proper testimony to
secure convictions, in case the parties are
guilty. He SAID the Commissioners had
leftall matters of detail in the hands of the
Chief, who was best informed of the neces-
sites Of the occasion. He called upon the
officers to obey the Chief and report all in
fractions of the law to that officer
The Mayor then called upon City Attor-
ney Anderson to instruct the officers upon
their duties under the law.
Mr.. Anderson addressed them at some
length, calling attention TO the various
enactments, and advising all of the mu-
luaI responsibility resting upon them as
well as upon him. That in all arrests re-
port should be made to him of the nature
OF the case, with the facts and witnesses, in
order that there might be no errors COM
mltted in prosecutions, and no guilty par
ties allowed to escape.
The Mayor finally stated that there can
be no doubt of the ability to compel an
observance Of the law, Notwithstanding
Inc threats otherwise. lie also mentioned
that information had been given him that
there are now three faro games in the CITY,
where each visitor is required to advance
SO as a guarantee of good faith for non
exposure. OF the truth of this he could
not vouch, but at any rate it is certain that
all the yiolators of the law will be exposed
and brought to justice. All persons who
are arrested and seek to repeat the act. will
be rearrested as fast as repetition occurs.
The entire force now consists of eleven
regular officers, and thirteen specials sap-
pointed for fair week, together with the
specials who have regular beats, making in
all a very respectable force, with regard to
numbers
Chief Jackson again called attention to
that class of men who are known as
and cappers, and desired the
regular officers, so far as they are known to
them, to point these fellows out to the
specials and when any suspicious act is
TO at once arrest and bring
them to the police station, where an inves-
tigation viii be held
After receiving their instructions, the
. finest, etc" proceeded to the discharge of
their duties, and at once We're detailed by
the Chief upon the several beats.