The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-12-01
CAPTAINS In A RUP.
Superintendent Smith Fur
nishes a Surprise for
the Police Board.
WANTS TOPLAY CHECKERS
And Put All His Men on New
squares-Sergeant Coward
Retired.

There was meeting of the Police
Board yesterday afternoon at which a
number of politicians were present. as it
was expected that the vacancies in the
Department would be filed. Everyone
was disappointed. No appointments were
made and it will be seme time before any
are maGe.
Superintendent Smith. however, enliv-
ened the meeting with communication
on subject he has long been agitating
viz.:-The shaking up of the police cap
tains. The following is the Superintend-
ent's letter.
Honorable Board of Police Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN,-Id desire to call your attention to
the fact that commandantS of precincts in this
department have fallen into rut and seem to
have lost all interest in the business OF the de-
partment. They neither attend TO duties
themselves nor require their subordinates to
attend them. There is a lack of energy on the
part of these captains which has communicated
itself to the sergeants and patrolmen under
their command, and which is seriously detrl-
mental to the efficiency of the department. In
the majority of cases, when an order is sent out
from Headquarters, it is read once to the men.
Then it is put away. The captains forget It,
The men have no recollection of it five minutes
aIter it is read to them, and it might as well
never have been issued know of cases of rob-
berries or other crimes having been reported, OF
which the sergeants made memorandum in
book and that is all that is done. Little if any,
effort is made to capture the criminal or recover
the property In cases OF robbery.
AS said BEFORE the capital ms have fallen into
a rut. They have been going through the same
daily routine for so many years that they do it
now from force of habit.
As your honorable body may be aware, this
condition of affairs is highly detrimental to the
efficiency of the department. There are cap
tains who seldom, if ever, go half a dozen blocks
beyond their station-houses except for meals or
on private business. In my Judgment each cap
tain should make himself thoroughly acquainte ed
with his precinct: with the people who live in it,
the good and bad characters who frequent it,
and with such details as will aid him in the
maintenance of law and order and the supp es-
sion of crime He should also patrol his pre-
cinct occasionally, both day and night, to see
for himself that his men are doing their duty.
Something should be done, and done at once, to
stir them up and reawaken an interest in their
duty. I would respectfully recommend that a
transfer OF captains be made in order to pro-
mote the efficiency of the department,
would also direct your attention to the care
less and indifferent manner in which some
members of the detective force perform their
duty. A robbery is reported. detective is
ssigned TO the case He obtains from the re-
port made a list and description of the property
tolen. He goes to the person robbed, gets
another list and description of the property
stolen, reports that he has investigated the case
and let's the matter drop there
would respectfully rec mmend that some of
the detectives be assigned to other duty and
their places be filled by young, energetic and in
tellgent men. There are very many of the kind
in the department. Ii am to be held responst
BILE for the maintenance of efficiency and dsci-
pline in the department it is but fair that
should have the best aides -zthe'z department
affords. Respectfully submitted
c P, SMITH.
Superintendent of Police.
NO REMARKS
No remarks were made upon the letter,
but President Feeney and Commissioner
Kelly looked anything but pleased. It was
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
WHAT THE SUPER SAYS.
"What l want the Police Commis-
sioners to dc" said Superintendent Smith
when spoken to about his letter to the
Board this morning, sis to transfer the
captains. This will result in a general
shaking up Some of the captains do
more sleeping than duty and
they have become too lenlent
with the men. Duties are
being neglected by the policemen, aDd it
must be stopped. As to the detectives. l
desire to see the Commissioners either
retire them or send them out to do post
duty. Some of them are not active
enough to perform the duties required of
them."
Sergeant Coward, whose constant i'll
ness has rendered him unable to perform
the duties of his position. was retired on
half pay. When in good health Sergeant
Coward was one of the best officers in
the department..
Policeman McGurk pstitioned the
Board for full pay during a prolonged
absence, caused by the fracture of his
wrist while making an arrest. The pc
tition was referred for investigation. The
monthly pay roll was passed, and the
Board adjourned.