Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-12-01
N. BRENNAN ON POLICE REFORM.


Chief brennan SAYS:
ITO abolish the evil wrought in u po-
lice force by political influence is the
most important question to he discuss
ed by this convention. The relation Of
the police force to the political clc-
mcnts which exist In all communities
where Il police organization Is main.
tanned is of the utmost interest to the
public at large. That the effect of po-
litical influence In Il police force Is
pcrnicious we all know. We know he
cause we have learned in our own cx.
pericncc that the position of chief Of
police is utterly devoid of power or
action when his plans and wishes for
the policy and management of his force
run counter to the aims and methods
of the local administration of which he
may he u part For their activity or
inactivity In politics the police are
abused with unfailing regularity at
man Is just Il plain. ordinary man.
He IL not an angel. nor Is he inclined
to make heroic sacrifices In the cause
of municipal reform. especially when
he knows that his salary must he pass.
cd upon and provided for by vote of
the City Council. onc.half of whose
members are generally candidates for
reelection each year.
"The average police officer comes
from the humber walks Of life. In
most instances he owes his appoint.
inent on the force to the political infiu-
cncc of some friend. lie generally has
u family to support and educate. Often
he Is paying for a little home for his
children. and. rs u rule. he II earning
better pay than he could receive In any
other vocation for which he IL fitted.
All these things cOnspirc to induce the
police officer to do whatever may tend
to confirm his tenure Of office. The
man who has attained his mp
pointment by political influence be-
lieves that should any attempt be made
to discipline him his political patron
will save him from punishment. No
man can have such notions and remain
u good officer. Under the present sys.
TEN every officer IL made to feel un-
easy about his position rs each sue
cecding two years roll by. ana u new ad.
ministration IL to he elected. because
he knows that mayOralty candidates
Invariably promise to divorce the pc.
lice from politics. which enforcement
generally results In the discharge of
officers supporting the defeated can
dilatc. lie knows that score Of
scheming politicians are after his place
for some partisan worker. hence the
police officer of rank II not to bG.
envied.
would suggest that all plans must fol-
low the single principle that the con.
troll Of the police bc taken entirely from
the hands Of politicians. The details
matter little. Where the power br
lodged II immaterial, provided II DO ns
far as possible from the reach Of poll
ticinns. The police force Of any city
should be as entirely non.partisan ~
II the United States army. An inicy-
ible rule that appointments shall bc
made for fitness only and promotions
for merit only should prevail. The
greatest care should he taken In select
Ing men for the service. but u man once
appointed should he secure In his place
during good behavior ana his tenure of
office should depend on his efficiency ~
an officer ana his courtesy toward the
citizens. who are his employers. so
long as political leaders can use the po.
lice. 80 long will they do It, be they
Democrats. Republicans or POpulists.
The remedy IL to take from them the
power OF interference In the mana e-
ment Of the police force. This. In my
opinion. can only be done by providing
for the organization AMI maintenance
Of the force by statutory enactment
In large cities u nOn.partisan civil
service commission appointed by what
sOever authority. for the purpose of
controlling appointments ana promo
tons would. In my opinion. accomplish
that end. Also an impartial trial board
composed partly OF commanding Otii.
GERS and partly OF disinterested citizens
cOnversant with the law and the rules
and regulations Of the department
would insure to every police officer
charged with violation of the rules or
other Offenses Il fair hearing. ana ut the
same time give satisfactory attention