Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-27
Police Department.
A Feeling of Constraint.

w utu TIC tOtllUulLlcc tl men anu
discipline was asked to report general
feeling of cOnstraint seemed TO fill the
room, As It was generally believed that
the COnlOn case would come no. The
ball was set IN motion by a general hit
at superintendent clearinghouse. The
committee reported that it had invest-
gated the report of Fire Marshal Lee
NON, recommending the expulsion of
certain tllemen for neglect of duty, and
had found the offenses to be so small
he did not deem 1t advisable to suspend
the men.
The communication of Edward Girls
sci, who had petltioned for relnstate
ment on the police force, was returned
70 the board and placed on file. as the
records show that he had not been a
faithful officer.
The petition of residents on Spring
street asking for a patrolman on Spring
street was reported unfavorably and
the application was placed on file.
Then Mr.. Whitney rose and cleared
his throat preparatory TO settling the
ConlOn matter. His report on the case
Is rs follows:
Your committee to whom was re-
ferred the communication of the super
intendent of police, under date of
August y, in which he asks for the re-
appointment of John Conlon to the
position of sergeant, would respect
fully report that IN our opinion there
was no occasion for such a request
from the superintendent.
Should Have Been Restored.
The verdict Of the board as recorded
was that Sergeant COnlOn be reduced
to the ranks as patrolman to serve for
the period of ninety days, and In the
opinion of yonr committee when the
ninety days had expired the superin-
tendent should have restored him TO
his former rank.
1t Is claimed that it was the inten ton
of the board ID reduce him permanent.
ly to the rank of patrolmsn, in which
case there would have been no occasion
to have mentioned a definite period.
The fact that such period was men,
toned Is pr!ma facle evidence of
the intent of the board to
suspend HIM only temporarily. And
your committee cannot entertain
the idea that because the mover intend
ed something different. or because the
charges against COnlon were sufficient
to have warranted even heavier pun
ishment than the one inflicted, that
the charges should be considered in ar
irving at an Interpretation of the yer.
dict.
Since the matter has been in the
hands Of the committee 1t mas come to
our knowledge that Mr.. ConlOn has
committed en- indiscretion which in
itself was not grave Otiense, aud in
the case of an ordinary patrolman
would not necessarily have come "a
the knowledge Of the board. but IN the
case of an officer of his rank the board
has a right to expect that he will no:
be guilty of even small otfenses, fOI
which "a a sergeant he would be e1-
pected to reprimand his men.
a Great Deal of bitterness.
Your committee also finds that the
feeling for and against Mr.. Conlon il
very strong and that the trial resulted
IN ENGINEERING great deal of bitter
ness among the men, which has no.
been conducive to good discipline, bui
has developed growth of fActlOn'
among the members Of the depart
mant % a degree that. IN the Judgment
/ of your committee, good discipline de
msuds that the power for the re-
instatement Of Mr.. C0uiOn as sergeant
De suspended.
Your committee therefore recon-.
mend that the reduction of John Con
| lon 70 the rank Of policeman be made
I permanent until further orders Of thH
| board. The report OF the COMMITTEES
was unanimously adopted.
Then the board went INTO eXeCutiv,
session for the eTamInat on of ap
phcsnts tor the police force and after
wards tae session OF the board al
/ lOurned.