New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-25
THE NEU- YORK POLICE.

The rule promulgated by superintendent.
Byrncs, soon after he was put in command OF
the police, requiring his men to conceal their
clubs except in emergencies, and even then to
exercise great care in the Use of them, has been
amply justified by experience. Ii has un-
doubtedly been one of the influences which have
improved tho discipline and efficiency of the
force by developing the moral qualities Of in
dividuals and the collective body. No com
jJetcnt observer can doubt that the police stand
ard is much higher than it was even a few
years ago. A large and increasing proportion
of the men are brave, watchful, prudent, quiet
and clean. They are on the whole a credit to
the officials whose orders they obey and whose
temper they reflect, and to the community
whose peace they well preserve. If the rule
against carrying the club in the hand has IN
single instance had unfortunate consequences
we have not heard of it, During the last two
or three years There has been an unusual num-
Der of public celebrations to crowd the streets
and suggest the danger Ct Disturbances But
these huge assemblages have been controlled
and managed with remarkable success, and, as
it has seemed, with less difficulty than was
formerly experienced under conditions not
exacting. 1t is on such occasions, indeed, that
the police appear to the best advantage. An
American crowd is proverbally cheerful AMI
amiable, but every dense throng contains some
turbulent and many excitable elements which
would inevitably develop dangerous tendencies
and overbalanco the natural composurc of the
mass if the firm grasp OF authority were not
constantly felt. The New-YoIk police are pc
cuUary efficient in cases where it is desirable
to impose sense Of restraint without obtrud
ing the material resources OF power.
TO large extent also the courtesy and for
bearance which Superintendent Dyrncs always
enjoins upon his men on special occasions are
becoming constantly more noticeable in their
general demNnor. As rule they perform
their duties quietly and attentively. a sense
of obligation to the community has largely re-
placed the assumption Of superiority which was
formerly common and offensive. They respond
chcerfully and politely to requests for informa
ton and assistance, seldom lose their temper
or swear when the foolish or refractory try their
patience, and are usually gentle and considcra;e
to the weak. Almost every day supplies new
proof that there arc heroes on the force, and an
exhibition of cowardicc is extremely rare. There
are laws and ordinances which the police GER
tainly do not succeed in enforcing and which,
we fear it must be Acknowledged, they make
little effort to enforce. But it is not within
our present purpose to renew an old discussion.
They thoroughly understand the wishes and
intentions of their superiors, and doubtless be-
licve that their responsibility ends with obcdi-
cnce to orders express or implied.
Having brought his subordinates up to the
high standard OF efficiency which we have de-
scribed, and having demonstrated, as il APP
pears TO us, the utility Of his rule regarding
the Use Of the club Superintendent Byrnes
Has a special interest in maintaining the policy
and methods which have worked 50 well.
Several recent occurrences must have convinced
him that the wecdng-ou process has not yet
gone far enough that there are still some men
of unuly temper and brutal instincts on the
force. Three or four times of late incxcusabIc
displays Of anger and violence have come to
public notice and condemnation. 50 large a
body of men must inevitably include some in
dividuals who are blackguards by nature, but
when their proclivitcs develop into action it
is possible to deal with them swiftly and cf-
fectuay 1t is because the average is 80 high
that we are encouraged to draw attention to
the small minority whose dismissal would make
il higher