Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-08-04
POLICE COmMIssIONERs.

They Transact Considerable Business
of Interest to the Publ1c-A Comm =
nfcation Concerning HOW Long the
Men Shall stay on the Force.
At meeting of the Board of Police Com
missioners held last evening the application
of E. G. Durham to become member of the
police force was placed on file.
The pay roll, amounting to $S,903. "a, and
sundry bills of $103.13 were approved.
A communication was received from Super
intendent of Fire Alarm Smith and Detec-
tive Brewer stating that they will attach
their patent visual signal to the present
Gamewell street stations, ready to attach
wires and gas pipe to, for $25 each. Also
they will erect in any part of the city lamp
post box containing patent visual signal
and call box for patrol wagon and ambu-
lance, ready to attach wires and gas pipe to,
for $95 each, and without signal for $50; or
they will erect the boxes contai ming beside
the signals mentioned before a telephone,
transmitter, battery and the necessary
switches and lightning arrester ready to at
tach wires and gas pipe to for $115 each, the
police department to pay the rental to tele-
phone company for telephone transm liter.
George Marshall, George L. Wheeler, John
Toole, George E. Heiser and E. G. Durham
were appointed members of the supernumer-
AIRY force of the lowest grade.
The matter of advancing one grade Officers
Doolittle, Mani, Donnegan, Tighe, Mccain,
McGrath, George L. Hyde, Shannon, McDer-
mott and Schamp, officers who are entitled to
a raise of grade, was tabled.
It was the mind of the members of the
Board to give Driver Watrous the first place
on street duty, although no action was taken
in the matter.
Voted to allow the drivers one day in the
1oc 10 O1yo1r
but refused to raise their pay.
The chief was instructed to honorably COM
mend Officers Dennehy, Kelly and Clancy
for arresting the three burglars near Neck
bridge last week.
Officer Nettleton was granted four weeks
leave of absence to make trip West.
The men were given leave to have pic
mic at Merwin's Point August II.
The following communication was present.
ed by Commissioner Hart which was re-
ferred to Commissioners Hart and johnson
to investigate and report: s'ln view of the
fact that there are two systems in existence
in reference to the term of service of mem
bers of the department., all elected prior to
1880 being elected for good behavior and
these to serve until fifty five years of age, I'M
less discharged for some cause, it seems that
justice and the general efficiency of
the department calls for the adop
ton of some plan which places
us IueIuU0TS Ill Oh lie same DdSlS Az lno
present time there are five patrolmen over
ffty-f years of age and twenty five patrol
men between forty-fve and ffty-fve. From
this number we are liable to be called at any
time to consider what course we shall pursue
with reference to special cases of patrolmen
who by reason of advanced age and disabili-
ty, aggravated by long service, have become
unable to do regular duty. To continue
such men in the service at full pay when
only able to do partial duty tends to
weaken the department by reducing
the number of able-b bodied men ready
for every and all emergencies and
making it difficult to carefully and closely es-
innate the number of men and the amount
of appropriation for our annual expenses.
In view of this fact, would recommend
that the matter of expiration of service in
this department be referred to special COM
mite, who, after thorough investigation,
shall report some plan which will be just to
the members of the police department, to the
taxpayers. and will best conduce to the eff
cheney in police work and the maintenance of
good order and proper enforcement of law in
the department.