Telegram-herald., 1890-09-19
AFULL YEARS WORK
Annual Report OF the Police and
Fire Commissioners.
TWO RICH NIsES OF IsFORasIIOs
Extracts fr0ka suP~rtntssdSnf
aAa's Report. showing That orsAa
Rapids Peliss Compare n<aa
with Any in the CountFF.

The annual report OF the Board OF
police and Fire Commissioners for tne
year ending April 80, 1890, has just been
issued.
Much of the statistical informationco con-
tanned in this report has already been
anticipated by publication IN the TEi.E-
oRAx-HERAlD. The report opens with
a statement substantially the same as
that which Was contained IN recent
article in this paper, setting forth Tie
relative police strength of this city and
other cities Of the world. That part of
the report says: "The business streets
are probably as well guarded as is nee
essary, but the present number OF our
force does not allow sufficient protec-
ton to be gwen 10 the residential por-
ton of the city"
In the report now published, every
subject pertaining 10 police and FIRE ad-
ministration is very fully discussed.
Generally speaking. the condition OF
both police and ire departments IS
highly satisfactory. and yet the commis-
sioners speak with much frankness OF de-
fects TO be supplied and disorders 10 be
remedied No citizen can read the ac-
count of these two necessary machlner-
les of city government without a pro-
found sense of satisfaction.
Superintendent Eastman, speaking OF
the police force, says: "The force at
present consists of seyenty-slx men, OF
whom fifty-three are detailed as patrol
men. This number, 10y reason OF
absence from sickness and various other
causes, has been reduced go as TO give
daily average of only forty-seyen,
which, estimating our population at
$4,000, gives only one patrolman 70
every 1900 of population. Although
this proportion Is considerable smaller
than in most cities of our size,
the efficient work of the OIL
GERS, with the indispensable cid of the
telephone and signal system, has been
sufficient 20 preserve good order.
statement TO the effect that the order
of the city has been excellent Is to be
found in most reports, but Grand Rapids
has abundant reason to be proud OF her
record in this respect since i compari-
son of the statistics given IN the reportsof
nearly all our principal cites does not
show one that excels Grand Rapids,
and few, If any, that equal IT,"
OF the detective force, he says:
ITO the detective branch of the de-
partment one member has been added
the past year, making n present force
of four men. They have performed
their duty IN a praiseworthy manner,
and have added much TO the efficiency
of the department. But little Of their
work, however, will appear IN the an
nexed statistics, as most of 1t is or
nature which does not come within the
legitimate limits of record"
On the question of discipline, he says:
Efficiency and fidelity can not be
secured except by rigid enforcement OF
all the rules and regulations laid down
by the board. Experience has proved
that only positive knowledge on the
part of the men that prompt and GER
tain punishment will follow violations
of the rules Il sufficient to maintain
that degree Of discipline. without which
no police department can accom-
plish the purpose for which II
IS organized. Faults can not he
condoned, and as full investigation is
made of every infraction that is re-
ported, no injustice can bedone that Of
ncer who is subjected 70 reprlmand, ,sus-
pension or dismissal, according as the
otfense is trivial or gross. Drinking is
tee greatest evil with which this depart
ment, as well as those of other cities has
to contend.
1t IS absolutely necessary that the
safety OF the public snail not be for
feited 10y intrusting it to men VINO are
liable to render themselves unfit for
duty through drink; and officers guilty
of drunkenness may not hope TO retain
their positions. II is my intention TO
enforce such discipline that the depart
ment may be one that viii be relied
upon no matter what emergency may
arse