The record-union., 1891-01-10
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Chief Drew Directs Attention to Some
of Its Pressing Needs.
Necessity for an Increased Force OF
Men and an Emergency Fund
Patrol wagon-Arrests.

AT the request of the RECORD UNION,
Chief of Police Warren 4. Drew has pre-
pared the following review of the con-
dition of the Police Department of the
city. 1t includes such recommendations
as he deems necessary for the improve
ment of the present police system. He
SAYS:
The fact that our present force is nrl-
merlcally insufficient to discharge the
constantly increasing amount of service
required, is too well known to call for
any argument. The matter has so often
been referred to by my predecessor, Cap
tain Lee, that all there remains TO say now
ON the subject is the plain statement that
the city OF Sacramento needs to-day not
less than thirty policemen. 1t is difficult
to imagine how twelve patrolmen-the
number at present employed tsaid num-
Der being divided into two watches of six
men each)-can reasonably be expected
to perform the work that should more
appropriately be allotted to the former
number. There are about 100 miles OF
present system, would make sixteen and
two-thirds miles of streets for each patrol
man.
Therefore, desire to urge attention to
the necessity for q police patrol wagon
and signal system, for rapid and eff
cient service at all places, where the
prompt appearance of police officers may
prevent loss OF life or destruction of prop
erty,. as well as to secure the arrest ot
criminals before they have time to escape
from the scene of their crimes.
The experience of other cities in which
the patrol wagon system has been intro
duced has resulted most favorably. The
arrests have nearly doubled, and there
has been marked decrease in the crimes
reported.
The patrol wagons are models of con-
yenience and adaptability for work.
They combine lightness and strength.
and are rendered conspicuous by the Blue
body and bright red running gear. They
are fitted with an alarm gong similar to
the fire department vehicles, and can GO
| in hurry for an alarm. Under the seats,
which run lengthwise on each side OF the
box, are compartments for handouts,
"come-alongs,p clubs, blankets, canvas
StretcherS, ropes and other articles that
are found necessary or convenient. The
stretcher is very ingeniously arranged,
and is the best device for the purpose de-
sired. The stretcher, when not in use, is
rolled up on poles and placed in one OF the
compartments under the seat. When re-
quired for use, the Stretcher is drawn out
through a small door at the end of the
wagon and four hooks, which accompany
it, are fitted to their proper places, two at
| each side of the wagon. In these hooks
the poles attached to the sides of the
stretcher are placed, and the canvas hangs
free between the seats of the wagon and
is carried without disturbing the patient.
the1plting Of the wagon being overcome.
For obstreperous prisoners there is q
| ring in the floor OF the wagonbox, to
which the belligerent party can be tied
down and secured.
The fact that our city has overgrown its
police force beyond all reasonable proper
tions is apparent to all; therefore the pro-
curing OF patrol-wagon would supply
an Immediate necessity. If not, the po-
lice force must soon be increased.
THAT the efficiency of the police force
would be fully doubled by the adoption
OF the patrol system. can be shown by
testimonials from the Chiefs of the differ
ent police departments in cities that have
adopted the system.
Another great disadvantage under
which this department labors, is the fact
that there is no emergency fund provided,
except what is received from Sherifls
who are obliged to leave prisoners in the
city prison over night, en- route to the
Folsom State Prison, and for which we
get 81 for each prisoner. These receipts
do not average over $50 per year, all told.
There should be an emergency fund OF
at least ss400 per year placed at the disposal
of the Chief of Police, to be used for tele-
graphing and other necessary expenses
i'll cases OF emergency.
Suppose some terrible crime, such as
murder or highway robbery occurs, or
even the stealing of horse and buggy,
and the perpetrator is trying to get away,
and it becomes necessary to Immediately
send officers in pursuit OF the criminal,
an emergency fund is Indispensable
During my incumbency of the Office of
Chief of Police the following number of
arrests have been made, meals and lodg-
ings provided indigent persons. etc.