The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-03
RAISING THE STANDARD.
A BOMB FIRED INTO THEPOLICE
CAMP.
The Ten Men Having Most Black
Marks Next February TO BE
Dropped.

A bombshell is to be fired into the
rank aud file OF the Police Depart
ment at Ioll-csll to-day. Lats yes!er-
day evening the following pronuncia-
mento was iss ued by the Commission
ers and a copy banded to the APPEAL
for publication.
THE STANDARD TO BE RAISED.
TAXING DISTRICT, June 3, 1886,
W. c. Davis, Chief OF Police:
1t is the intention OF the Fra aud
Police Commissioners, at the next
annual election Of your forcs-say
February /, 1SS7-to drop ten men
from the roll and supply the vacancies
thus made with new material.
This will include sergeants, detec-
tives, staticn-house keepers, turkeys,
market mast re-, SOU re keepers, ssni-
tary, and all others in your depart
ment, except captsins.
Ia order that justice may be done
to all on the present force, you will
get book and register their names,
and keep an account with each man;
no.ing his general conduct as defined
by the ordinances; eli complaints
against him and the esult Of your ex-
animation into tEem; his neatnes5 OF
apparel and person; hist Efficiency and
good judgment in making arrests, and
Of sustaining them in court; his so
briey and moral department, aud OF
his watchfulnss5 in enforcing the
laws in all sanitary ard sidewalk or
dinanCes.
For arrests for burglary, house
breaking and all felon:es, the officer
making the arrest to be given sn extra
credit.
When you make a debit against any
one for inetficiency or any other cause
whatever, you will take him in private
and tell him of the fact, and not COM
municate it to any one else, not even
to your captains or CLERK.
Previous 10 the election your record
will be read and examined by the
Commissioners, and they will drop
the ten me1 having the lowest record.
We think this lie of action on the
part OF the Comm ssioners will have
very salutoIy effect in increasing the
efficiency of your depar ment, besides
showing to your men aud the public
generally those most worthy OF reten-
ton and promotion.
This is not to be construed that the
Oommi, sioneIs will not take immedi-
ate action and remove any member
for cause.
Instruct your force to take no part
in polite. other than to 60 to the POLLS
| and vote on election day,
DAVID p. MADDEN, President;
JAMES LEE, JR,A
| II, A. MONTGOMERY,
Fire and Police Commissioners.
That ten men will be- dropped there
can be no doubt, and the question
naturally arises, Whom will they
be?" II Chief Davis were called upon
10 select ten men for dismissal right
right away it is likely that he would
have lit lie trouble in doing co; and to
tho who know the members OF the
force by their backs it goes without
saving thst the identical ten will be
on at the tai end OF the list still, wber
the next elec ion takes place. 1t is
notorious fact that several OF the foIct
having long since come to regarC
their buttons and badges leased
for life, no longer make al
effort to increase their usefulness, bu
expend their gigantic intellect in al
effort to do the minimum amount O.
service for the maximum amount o
pay. Thtre are some men on thu
force who are as efficient officers a
anv in the United States, take prid,
in their work aud do it well, and will
of course, pursue the even tenor
their way in spite of the order.
The Commissions have the RICH
to dismiss a man at will, without
trial, and evidently mean to exercis
that privilege TO raise the standard o
tbs free