The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-03
NEW POLICE MATTERS.
THE Police FORCE rs TO NE IN
CREASED TO ESQ MEN.
The Oficsrs to Have a Ten Days Furiough
Hereafter-CiviI Service Exam ination
for New Onicers.

The police force of this city has long
been deemed by the chief aud officials in-
sufficient for the proper protection of the
property OF the city.
Accordingly at the meeting of the
Board of Aldermen, one month ago,
Chief Child presente commun icat ton
in which he set forth man reasons for
an increase la the number OF m EN-.
The principal reason is tha', according
TO the statements of the chief, the Ulcers
In the outlying districts cannot ID ,ssibl v
obey the rule ot the force that nj sht me II
shall 40 over { heir beats every hour, and
that some OF the beats cover SO many
miles of streets that IL an officer should
cover every street he could not get over
his beat twice IN night.
Thus, the chief argues, the chance for
burglary and other crimes is largely IN
creased, for persons bent on such busi-
ness can watch and see when the officer
goes past, u then, with the knowledge
that he VIII not return for at least two or
three hours, accomplish Whatever crimi-
nal object he may have in view, safe at
Last from Interference by the police
The rapid growth OF the outskirss of
the city makes IL necessary that they
should have better protection.
The present force consists OF 2lS men
and is To be intre sed by he add riou OF
thirty-two inep, which the chief thinks
will be sufficient Tor the time being
Yesterday Afternoon at the meeting Of
the Board Of Aldermen. the commi, tsv ON
police reported, recommending the pas
sage of an ordinance making tie police
force number 250 men. and IL was promut-
ly passed.
AT the meeting OF the board there was
also presen ed eport OF the poli4e co IL
mittee on tae matter OF a two-wee - FUR
Tough for each ma i. for which DettiOn
was presented at prrviou, meeting
signed by nearly all the force.
Tie report stated that IL a two weeks
furlouah WAS allowed it wo Id cripple
tie force to great extent at the time for
vacations since so many men would be
absent ut one lime. The committe re-
cogulzed the justice Of the demand AS
the duties OF the police are very arduous
aud the officers Certainly earn two
weeks vacation.
In view If this fact and also of the rea-
sons above stated, the COMMITTEES recon-
mended that an annual furlough OF ten
days De granted TO each member of the
force annually. Tue present rule a lows
for one week turlougn 30 that the rec Jm-
incubation was sort OF compromise.
The resolution was adopted with. ut an
objection by any alderman.
Another in ovation in police rules was
made by the Board of Aldermen yester-
day. Each new officer VIII hereafter be
required 10 pass written eX animation
within six months after his appointment
TO determine his efficiency and intelli-
gence.
This is TO be done so that the police
f. rec will include none but intelligent
men and 1t is estima ed Nill be OF urelt
value TO the service. IL will prevent
those, who are not ot average intelli-
gence, from applyin for posllions Oh tho
force. TheSfret thai the lorce Is 10 he iu-
creased by the addition OF thirty-tN men
wouli materially draw all kinds OF ap-
plications anu the evil service examina.
tion will show after short time who the
tit ones are.
The examination will be confined to the
duties Oh a patrolman, and ii an fficer
can answer 90 per cent of the questions
correctly, he viii Ge appointed perna-
nently, wnile those = ho eau not will be
dropped from L,e force.