New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-17
FALSE SWElRTyG Bf POLICEMEN.

Superintendent ByrncS has brought about 4
praiscworthy reform in taking from policemen
the heavy clubs which in the hands OF hot
tcmpcrcd and reckless officers have often been
shanefuly misus d. The Superintendent APP
pears e. he bent on raising the standard OF the
dcI artmcnt in every way. and making the
force s. far as it is in his power 10 accomplish
the result. the model of police departments
Of tho world But there is ono extensive evil
to which the Commissioners tho Superntend-
cnt and all the officers should give thorough
attention. Il is the habit OF loose swearing
which has been observed in many cases IL
hns been proved over and over again III polico
trials at headquarters that either the accuSorS
or the defendant. have pcrlur"d themselves
deliberately. Tho direct conflicts in tho sworn
evidence against members Of the force who
are on trial before the Commissioners and
the testimony offered in defence by the ac-
cuscd patrolmcn, leave n 70 III for doubt that
tho witnesses on one side or the other have
committed deliberate perjury.
I'm the recent case Of Roundsman Daley 1t
is certain that either the witnesses against
the prisoner, or the prisoner himself and these
friends OF his who testified for him. were guilty
observers of trials in criminal courts, well
as of the trials before the Police Commission
crs. have been compelled TO believe that there
arc altogether too many perurcrs wearing the
police uniform. The evidence against Daley
was sufficiently strong to convince majority
of the Jurors that he was guilty, but tho stub
born and obstinate minority succeeded in wear
ing out the patience of the majority. The
Jurors who were convinced on the evidence
offered that Daley was guilty, and then weak
~ yielded to the frmer resolution and per
sistcncy OF the minority, were false to their
oaths and false TO their duty. Daley mado
bad impression on all who listened TO his an
swers under cJamination. lie contra
diotcd himself, and denied having done cor
tain things which he aftcrward admitted that
he had done. The testimony of some other
officers on the force who appeared rs witnesses
for Daley also made bad impression. Daley
is known to have IA strong political pull, and
it was plain on the trial that some of his friends
on tho force were ready to 90 to almost any
length 10 save him. superintendent Byrnes
has declared that there was some loose and slip
shod work in the District Attorneys Office in
regard 10 securing witnesses for the pr1sccu-
ton 1t is the duty Of District Attorney Nicoll
10 do all that he can to remove this reproach
from his subordinatcs, and he ought to press
promptly the charge of assault against Daley
which still remains to be tried. No political
influences and no considerations except those
of impartial justice should move him in this
matter 1t ought to be clearly understood at
all times in this city that the wearers of the
police uniform will be held to an especially
strict accountability if they violate the laws.
If they are guilty of wrong doing they should
be punished with more rigor than ordinary
people, because it is their special province to
soc that The laws arc faithfully enforced.
II is an appalling state Of affairs when it is
evident from tho police trials and from the
trials in criminal courts that considerable
number Of tho policemen of this city have no
regard for the sanctity Of an oath and arc
r, ady to commit perjury in order to clear them
selves. 1t is time that the Commissioners, the
superintendent, and all the officers OF the forco
should apply themselves with energy to getting
rid of such iascals. No pains should be spared