The record-union., 1891-04-02
THEY ARE LOADED.
The Police Commissioners Fill the New
Officers With Advice.
Mayor Comstock Cautions Them t,
Act as Gentlemen-some of the
Pitfalls Pointed Out.

If the new police force doesn't do its
duty the coming year it will not be for
want OF good advice in starting out. All
the members We're present last evening
at the meeting of the Board of Police
Commissioners, excepting night jailer
Clark, who had to remain on duty.
Mayor Comstock said the officers had
been invited to attend that they might
hear some advice that would be well for
them to heed. He then read the follow
ing, as being his counsel to the men:
'Officers Of the police force: You have
been selected by the thoughtful consider
alton of the Commissioners. We conf
IDENTIFY expect of you faithful service. Do
your duty and you will reflect credit on
the department. I wish each officer
would vie with his fellows to be in the
lead in valuable service to the city. /
have some suggestions which, if needed,
viii be to your credit. When on duty
appear IN uniform as far as practicable.
" hen off duty be always gentlemen.
Avoid hanging around saloons. OF
course much Of your duty requires that
you mingle with the lower strata
OF society. If you have, as we
believe, tirmness and will-power, you
wilt exceed, perhaps, our expectations.
Let no rumorS come to our ears that Off
GERS indulge too freely in the cup that
brings misery and trouble. In our late
councils we discussed various matters,
and trust we shall not have occasion to in
VeStlgate complaints against any officer.
Our positions as officers of the city and
our duty, require that discipline be MAIN
tanned. Jealousies may arise, but look
to your position and those responsible for
your action. Consider well, and should
difficulties unbearable be encountered, be
very slow to resent. II you conduct
yourselves as we expect you will, one
year from now we shall very gladly re-
elect you all. That these hopes may be
fully realized, is our expectation"
THE CHIEF TAKES A HAND.
Chief Drew said he had little advice to
give TO the officers. He wanted them to
1amiliarize themselves with the contents
Of the book of rules so as to be able to
know what to do at all times. He said
he intended to give each officer a COPY
and he expected the book to be carefully
read. Only five men had been elected,
who We're not on the force last wear, and
OF these five, three were old and expert
enced officers, leaving practically only
two new men.
He said that during the past year
everything had been harmonious in the
department. There was no tale-tellinp
by one officer on another, and no discord,
lie hoped the coming year would be as
pleasant as the past. Every officer should
understand that he does not own his beat
and should recognize the right of any
other member of the force TO DO duty on
his beat if sent there by order of the Cap
tain or Chief. He thought the present
force would serve as well as the old one,
and if they did nobody ought to find
fault.
COMMISSIONER CRAVENS HAS HIS SAY.
Judge Cravens, in addressing the Off
GERS, said that in addition to the fact that
they had attained the positions which they
sought, they ought to congratulate them
selves when they considered that they
We're selected out of a list of eighty. He
telt confident that out of the eighty, at
least fifty would have made good officers.
The men chosen were all young and
strong, cultivated good habits, and had
excellent regulations. However, there
was plenty of good material to select
from, and the Commissioners aimed to
get men, who had experience, in whom
the community had confidence, and who
were possessed Of peculiar qualifications
| want to remind you," said the
Judge, 'Of the necessity of preparing
your cases for trial. Your duty is not
done when you arrest man and lock
him up. You should Immediately hunt
UP evidence in the case and get all the
testimony you can in behalf of the peo-
pie. You should see that your witnesses
are subpenaed properly, and secure their
attendance IN court. 1t is not only your
duty 10 detect crime, but also to punish
offenders, and when you make an arrest.
report your case 10 the City Attorney at
least an hour before the court opens"
SOME GOOD ADVICE.
In addition. the Judge advised the Off
GERS to carry copy OF the rules in their
pockets, and also become familiar with
the sections of the code relating to their
duties. Officers should know what to do
at critical moments, how to staunch a
flow of blood, resuscitate a drowning
man, or take the dying statement of a
person, in case there is no time TO wait
Tor court officials. The officer who shows
himself to be faithful and diligent need
have little fear about losing his position
The Judge believed in having perma-
nent force, and not discharging an officer
except for cousc. Hc advised all TO work
tremendously, as there was nothing so
demoraliZing 10 an organization as ieal-
ouSy among members. Scandals and
tale-bearing should be avoided and good
feeling prevail at all times. If one officer
was sent on anothcr's beat, he ought TO
act So as not to offend the latter, but
rather 10 bring him into his confidence
and ask his assistance.
PITFALLS POINTED OUT
Officers were sometimes charged with
tipping" and such conduct certainly
would tend 10 bring the entire depart
mcnt into contempt. 1t is not expected
that an officer should refuse reward for
making a capture, but when u private
person offers TO remunerate him for some
service, the Chief should first be notified
before the officer receives the money.
Judge Cravens assured the new force of
officers that ne would lend them all the
assistance possible, and he believed the
court officers would do the same.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS VIEWS.
City Attorney Hart agreed with tho
Judge that one of the most important
parts OF the officers duty was to properly
prepare his case. lie knew of 4 promi-
nent attorney who always said that his
success III prosecuting cases was due to
the work Of the officers who surrounded
nun. The most of the honor is due TO the
olheers, and no lawyer, however able,
could successfully prosecute a case with
out their aid. No organization could do
any good unless there is a unity of feel
ing. One must help the other before sue
cess crowns the efforts, and baclkbiting
was one OF the germs which destroys the
essential supports Of organization.
Mr. Hart advised the officers to study
the CRIMINAL Code of California and they
Mouia ihd mat II was very easily learned.
lie desired 10 congratulate the men, and
also the Board of Police Commissioners
for their Judgment in making the selec-
lions. Many were no doubt disappointed,
but humanity must expect TO meet with
such setbacks. lie had regret and sym
patty for some of those who were not
elected. II was his aim to be ON friendly
terms with the officers and to accord ali
the credit that was due to them in the
hope that they would reciprocate.
THEY COVERED TIE CASE.
Captain Lee said he could not add any
more to what had already been said. He
snaransted that al officers On rnteh