New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-17
POLICEMEN As DEFENDANTS.
DELINQUENT BLUEcoATs on TRIAL-cHARoEs AND
PUNIsuMENTs.

DELINQUENT BLUEcoATs on TRIAL-CHARGEs AND
PUNIsuMENTs.
That the New-York policemen are fine body OF
men no one who them parade on May III
VIII deny. What they are capable Of doing has
been demonstrated on many occasions. But police
men are only mortal and have their faults. Their
work IS trosome, which probably accounts for so
many Of them neglecting their duty, for which they
are placed on trial before Commissioner every week
These trials begin at 10 q. NJ every Wednesday In
the little courtroom the third floor Of Police
Headquarters. Ordinarily a single Commissioner sits
In judgment, but when a captain is up on charges,
grave is being prosecuted the full board
Of four Commissioners sits with President French
Chief Justice. The peculIarties of each OF them
are known to every man in the department, and much
anxiety Is manifested by the who IS tried before
Commissioner whom he does not admire.
President French Is sharp and quick, and gets to
the bottom facts in short order. AS the dinner hour
draws nigh. he becomes rather abrupt, but although
he clears the calendar more quickly that his brethren
IT cannot be said that he Is unduly hasty Commits
sloners McClavc and Voorhees, display the patience
Of job The former IS Kindly, almost benignant, and
makes an impression the accused officer that would
lead the uninltiated to anticipate light punishment
But then, Mr.. McClave's manner is not always In
dlcatlye Of what is to come, and tho officer IS pun
shed as severely the facts warrant. Mr. Voor-
his administers tho oath only when the charge is a
each case by giving some wholesome advice.
The charges which the officers are called upon to
answer are generally trivial themselves, but can
not be overlooked without injury to the discipline
Of the department. Neglect Of duty, vaciously emu
merated. Is the most frequent charge man found
By the roundsman five feet of his post Is liable 10
be brought to trial II is against the rules for police
men to stand and talk any bect but those reat
Ing TO the department, and the number Of policemen
who find 1t necessary TO discuss the health OF the
superintendent and the prospect OF the sergeants
getting their salaries increased, while on post is sur
pising Some OF the complaints made By captains,
sorgcants and roundSmen are: Being In Liquor
shop while in uniform, failure to answer roll CALL
returning to the police station before due from post
smoking or sitting down while duy, failure to
discover burglary open door, and hundred
other things Then there are the complaints made
by citizens Last OF all comes inOXicatiOn, serious
charge, conviction Of which means dismissal These
REQUIRE great care. A police surgeon, the captain
and sergeant and any other officer who saw the &C
cused man at the time in question are interrOgated
infinitely concerning his condition, and also a. TO
their experience with drunken men and their compe
tency to Judge. The Commissioner then REMARKS
sOlomny =" The will be referred TO the fun
Board but | tell you officer that in my experience
as a Police Commissioner | never knew of police
missed" And he is dismissed at the next meeting
OF the Board.
The excuses put forward by accused policemen
are as simple they are few, and brand new ex-
cusc rolIef. Tho punishment moted out TO these
delinquents from reprimand by the superln
tendent TO fine of not more than thirty days pay
or dismissal