Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-16
SIMPLY T0O TASTY.
OFFICER STAFFORD THOUGHT HE WAS
DOING HIS DUTY.
At Least, So Thought Majority of the
Police Commissioners-TheO Of
ficer Reprimanded.

The Board of Police Commissioners met
yesterday morning with all the members
present. Mayor Comstock called the meet
ing to order, and stated that the purpose
was to impose sentence on officer Stafford,
on the charges sustained in his trial last
week.
The Mayor then pulled slip of paper
from his coat pocket and read his views on
the subject. His plan was to suspend the
officer until October 1st. Police officers,
he said, should be careful about their con-
duct and not allow their feelings to carry
then one way or the other. He did not
think the punishment! he proposed was too
severe for the officer.
Judge Buckley said in substance: 81
have given this investigation a serious and
thoughtful consideration, for 1 believe it is
an important matter to the voters of Sacra-
mento and the community. So far-as l am
personally concerned, 1 know both parties,
and that is one of the reasons l concluded
not to be hasty in pronouncing Judgment
in the case. Officer Stafford has been on
the force for several years, and l have al
ways regarded him as good officer and
faithful in his duty. believe him 10 be
honest. l voted to sustain the charges
against him, because | thought that in the
excitement at the time of the arrest he was
too Jealous and probably oyerstepped his
bounds. 1t is the custom, when respect
able person calls upon an officer TO arrest q
man, for the officer TO do as requested and
afterward have the accusing party swear to
a complaint. An arrest is sometimes made
on what one might call verbal complaint,
and many believe it is a good plan.
However, in view of the well-.snown
character, high standing an eminence of
Mr.. johnson, think it would have been
better for officer Stafford to have first re.
quired that warrant be issued; but be
probably thought he was doing his duty in
carrying out the custom. / am inclined to
believe that he was simply hasty, and that
it would not have happened but for the ex.
element that prevailed.
In this Board is vested the power to
discharge, suspend, fine or reprimand the
officer. feel disposed to impose the low
est penalty-a reprimand. The officer is
poor man, and has family, and as much
good can be accomplished by reprimanding
him as by ordering him dismissed from
the force. Any officer is entitled to have
his own political views and to exercise his
own belief; but he should not show par
TALLY. He is not servant of any faction
or political party, but a guardian of the
public peace. | don't think officer Stafford
meant to do anything wrong. l couldn't
believe it. There was no conspiracy to in
jure anybody, but simply suspicion to that
effect
In conclusion, Judge Buckley said he
would vote to reprimand the officer.
Chief Drew-"I haven't anythin to saw"
The Mayor finally announced that the
question before the Board was as to what
punishment should be inflicted upon the
officer
When the roll was called by Clerk Jones,
Mayor Comstock voted for suspension. and
Judge Buckley and Chief Drew voted to
reprimand the officer.
II then became the Mayors duty to ad-.
monish the officer, and after requesting the
latter to stand up. he said
Officer Stafford have no feeling
against you as citizen or an officer You
had long, fair and impartial trial, and
the charges against you were sustained.
don't believe it was necessary for you to go
as far as you did. 1t would have better for
you to have kept cool ana used your own
judgment. have every reason to believe
that you will receive a lesson from this
investigation which will prove valuable to
you and the other officers hope YOU will
do your duty and never again be placed in
such a position"
Officer Stafford bowed his assent and sat
down, and the meeting adjourned.