The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-16
HABITS OF OFFICERS.
Police Board Warns Policemen
as to Their Conduct.
SELF CONTROL AND clviL,rv.
I've omcsrs Suspended for Thirty Days
for Bad Language-Futars Mis-
conduct Dangerous.

Commissioners Cheasty. Holmes, Wal.
lingford and Relic responded to the roll
call when the police board was called to
order last night by Mayor Sweeney. Chief
Jackson's monthly report was read and
hled. The new form is now used. It
shows not only the number of arrests
made, but the disposition of the cases.
Charges were preferred against l.. T.
Stevens Of using disrespectfui language to
his superior officers. He admitted the Of
Tense. He had complained that he was
one days pay short, and although the
chief offered to have the books checked. he
used profane language and hotiy expressed
his contempt for the rules. He had been
absent without leave, so that even his COM
plant was not we'll founded.
Clerk Fleming explained how the con.
troversy arose.
Lieut.. HUFF deposed that he had men.
toned to Stevens that he had reported
twice in succession from the same box. but
Stevens denied it and declared that he
didn't care for the chief, the commission
ers. Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Ronald or
God Almighty himself, when he knew he
was right" Mayor Sweeney asked if
he did not mention the devil. The talk
then turned upon Capt. Sims, and Stevens
said he was "planked capable of lying"
Stevens said he was positive he sent in
his second report from the Pike street box;
he knew he was right, and it made him hot
to be accused wrongfully. He regretted
having lost his temper.
Commissioner Cheasty thought the fault
called for q suspension of thirty days; but
Commissioner Relic thought that little
too severe. but it should be understood by
the force that such conduct would not DO
tolerated.
Commissioner Wallingford said another
offense of that kind would not be met with
mere suspension, by his vote.
Commissioner Holmes said it was only
because Stevens had played q manly part
in admitting his offense and in his con-
duct before the board which induced him
to vote to retain him. A police officer
must be taught that his duty is one that
calls for self-control.
The sentence was suspension for thirty
DAYS.
George Cave was then charged with
using vile and obscene language in refer
ence to Officer Harding. The complainant
stated that Cave had been joking and
plaguing him for some months calling
him "crazy" until Harding finally OBJ
jected, and that Cave then used vile
language to him.
Officer Cave decarled that his intention
had only been to tease Harding. and he
admitted applying a story to him which
included dirty language.
The board suspended Cave for thirty
days.
Commissioner Rclfe gave notice that IL
ouch another case came before the board
he should vote for dismissal of the Of
fender. The other commissioners agreed
TO make that rule: and that hereafter
officers must understand that any un-
gentemanly conduct would receive tho
heaviest punishment.
A complaint was received from Nelson
Vineyard that Officer Fawcett had abused
him badly, beating him with pistol and
club while the complainant was hand
cufIed. 1t will be heard May I.
The board approved the chiefs action in
allowing days of credit gained In 1892 to
to be used in 1898,
Commissioner Relfe proposed that the
work Of the commission be divided among
committees, with authority to act on mat.
tiers of petty detail each committee to re-
port to the board.
After considerable discussion it was 70.
solved to meet on the 18th inst and formu-
late plan, each member of the board
agreeing that it was an excellent suggeS-
ton and likely to lead to greater efficiency
in the department.
The board will meet again on Tuesday
night