The record-union., 1892-11-15
WHICH is THE BOSS?
The City's Present DOubIe-Headed
Police Department.
Conflict of Authority Between Chief
and Captain-The Reeves In
surance Fraud Case.

Mention was made in the RECORD
UNION yesterday morning of the arrest
of Richard Reeves, on the complaint OF
George KRONER, who charged him with
attempting to collect money on a fraud
ulent insurance policy issued on the life
of his wife and in his favor.
The alleged facts OF the case are that
Reeves applied to Kroner for the policy
and introduced as his wife a strong,
healthy woman. The latter passed a
satisfactory examination, and $1,000
policy was issued. This was early in
September last, at which time the real
Mrs. Reeves was nearly dead from con-
sumption. She died a few weeks later,
and when Reeves presented the proofs of
her demise and applied for the amount Of
the policy, KRONER became suspicious
and started an investigation, at the same
time notifying the officials OF his COM
p2ny.
The California agent, named WyckOt,
came up from san Francisco, and after
diligent inquiry into the case the above
facts were developed, and the matter
placed in the hands of Chief Of Police
Rodgers.
The RECORD-UNIoN was in possession
OF the facts, but refraned from giving
publicity thereto until ChleI Rodgers had
an opportunity OF locating the woman
who had assisted Eeet eS in his enter
prise, the latter's arrest being deferred so
as not TO arouse her suspicious, he being
under surveillance.
Captain bradley OF the police force ar
rested reeves on sunday night, however,
thus upsetting the Chiefs plans anu Civ
ing warning 10 tie woman, who Will now
t,l Il n
1esterday Chief i.OugetS aud Agent
NyckOu had an interview at the Chiefs
oilce, and Reeves was brought i'll 10 see
Il lie could not be induced 10 tell who his
female confederate was. At the close Of
the interview Captain Bradley appeared
on the scene and exhibited considerable
anger because Chief Kodgers had liner
viewed the prisoner.
lie Sald reeves was his prisoner; that
be didn't want any one else interfering
with him, and ii it We're done he WOuiu
remove him TO The County Jail.
Chie1 Rodgers replied that the prisoner
was in his charge, that he alone was re-
sponsible for him, and that he would not
permit his removal by any one. Further
more, that he (kodgers) was Chief Of po-
lice, and did not propose to be dictated to
by Il subordinate.
IRIS IS, indeed, pretty state OF affairs
when a subordinate attempts to take
upon hlmself authority to override the
executive officer Of the Police Depart
ment, upsets the latter's plans tor the
furtherance OF the ends of justice, and so
conducts himself as to encourage in
subordinalion, and add to the demoral-
ization Of the Police Department.
But it IS no less strange than that q ma
jority Of the Police Commissioners, hay
ing full knowledge Of the situation,
should allow such condition ofaftairs to
exist. 1T is apparent that the position Of
Captain of the Police is being used for far
different purposes than those contem-
plated by that clause in the law which
provides for such an officer.
The Office should be an adjunct to that
of the Chief, instead Of being used to
bolster up a rival authority thereto, as
has been done. Under the present re-
gime the Police Department has been rent
by dissensions and jeaIousies; subordi-
mates have openly defied their Chief, and
the latter has no redress.
For the sake OF justice and good gov
ernment the sooner something can be
done to break up the present disgraceiul
condition of affairs the better it will be-
Fortunately the time is not far distant
when the Chief of Police alone will be re-
sponsibe for the efficient conduct Of his
department. Under the new charter
there can be no repetition OF the rebelliOus
and demoralizing state OF affairs that is
now bringing opprobrium upon the Police
Department.