The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-07
Mr.. BYRNES METHODS.
DESCRIBING THE DETECTIVE SER
VICE OF NEW YORK.

How II Has Been Brought to It's Pres
ent state OF Perfection and How 1t
Compares With That of European
Cities Protecting Wall Street.
Copyright 1887
NEW YORK, April l6.-The question is
uften asked, "How does the New York
police force especially the objective bu-
reau, compare with those of ether great
cdtiss'T The subject is an interesting one,
and affords field Tor voluminous discus
sion, but a, brief resume of the methods OBJ
tanning in some Of the principal capitals
viii show the comparison with sufficient
clearness. / think the results show, plainly
enough, the justice of the old claim that
New York has ''the finest police force in
the world.n but it is interesting to inquire
why it is tine best, and how these results
have been attained. II is not merely be-
cause of judicious selection of men and the
admirable discipline Of our force that it is
70 efficient, though, of course, without such
selection and such discipline, it would fail
in efficiency. 1t is no easy matter for one
connected with the New York force to
comment on others without seeming in
vidious, but certain comparisons | think,
any one who Is familiar with the facts. My
own comparisons, however, must be con
fined chiefly to the detective service.
The organization of the police force in
different cities varies in numerous particu-
lars, some of them important. In London, the
city is divided as New York, but in London
the word used is division instead of pre-
cinct," and each division is in charge of a
division superintendent Each superin
tendent makes daily report TO the assist
ant Commissioner Of police, whose secreta-
~ reads each and every report carefully
and determines whether the services of a
detective will be necessary in any given
case. II one is needed, an abstract of the
report, SO far as il relates TO tie case in
question. is transmitted to the superintend-
ent Of detectives. This last official sends
for his chief inspector and gives him the de-
tails Of the case as he has learned them and
the chief inspector selects the man who is
TO do his work. As matter of course, this
elaborate routine may be shortened, and &C.
casionAlly is, by the report Of case directly
10 the chief superintendent, but the ordi-
Offices mentioned.
The contrast between this custom and the
one in vogue In New York is very wide. In
this city case Of any Importance is re-
ported at once to the detective bureau
either to me personally or to the sergeant at
the desk, aud man is Immediately sent out,
or more than one, If necessary There is no
circumlocution, and no form is prescribed
for reporting, further than that every DO
hceman must, OF course, report all he learns
at bis own station house. The captain in
New York, however. who would wait for
the regular hour Of making his returns be-
fore putting detective at work or sending
70 me in a case of sufficient Importance
would be promptly set down as having sud
-. l.
contrast is still more marked. Ia London
such cases are rarely acted on without a
warrant, which is obtained by the secretary
of the legation of the country which de-
mands the extradition. This warrant is
then taken TO the chief inspector of the po-
lice who details man to make the arrest.
For the services of the detective, a charge
is made, covering the extra time that may
be consumed, together with all the dis
hursements be may have made. This state
ment Of expenses, by the way, has TO be
sworn to. In case the complainant In the
case is not able to pay the detectives bill, it
is rendered TO the legal representative of
the government which has asked for the
axtradition Of the fugitive.
IN New York, II notice is received, by ca
BILE or otherwise from a responsible party,
Of the expected arrival here Of a fugitive
from Justice, it always comes in duplicate,
one message being sent TO the police and
one TO tho consul of the country. A man
is Immediately sent to meet the expected
ship and the fugitive is promptly arrested
and turned over to the United States COM
nissioners. either Shields, Lyman or Osborn,
whichever one Is sitting. Then the legal
representative of the country which has
sent for the man is enthusiastically it is
the legal firm of Condert Bro, as they
represent all the foreign countries which
have extradition treaties with the United
States, excepting England and Germany.
For our service. no charge whatever is
made, the municipality paying all the ex-
psnse Of of police duty of every kind.
The matter Of arresting without warrants
has been much discussed, and it is certain
that there is greater latitude in this respect
allowed to our police than In most of the
European countries.
It is seldom, however, that substantial
injustice is done by this kind of action here
though technically fugitive's rights may
perhaps be occasionallya infringed. The
laws furnishing an officeY%for false arrest,
are, however. such as to afford no ground
for action unless it is shown that the arrest
was malicious. Consequently suit Is sell
dom brought against policeman for false
arrest The men all know the law and are
careful to keep within It, OF course it is
better for man TO have a warrant when
he makes an arrest, and when it is nractic-
Of my men would think for a moment of
letting a suspicious person get away from
him because he had no warrant. They will
generally bring them TO my office saying
"The inspector wants to see your As a
general thing the person arrested win say
"What forgT But the detective seldom tells
him. He usually says ''Ohl / don't know.
He just wants 70 talk with you about some
thing Then if the person resists or re-
fuses TO 60 he is arrested. Generally, how
ever, they come to the office without max
ing trouble.
In Berlin there Is a chief of detectives
who assigns the detectives TO whatever
parts Of the city their services are likely TO
be needed. As rule these detectives dis
guise themselves, and their duty is simply
70 shadow persons suspected of crime, there
being others who make arrests when re-
quired. Each and every hotel must send
to the office of the chief OF detectives list
Of their guests, and the time they arrived,
and when they leave they must also send
notices to the chief of detectives. The
detectives usually visit the hotels daily, and
they are also TO be found around the sever
n railroad depots. II they make an arrest
Il 10 very seldom that their names are plIb-