Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-08
POLICE TRIAL BOARD
Commissioners Considering the Advisa-
-. bility of Its Adjustment
Its Findings Are IncOnsistent-Somc
sample Cases Acted on by the
Comm issioners Today.

The Commissioners are seriously consid-
ering the advisability of abolishing the po-
lice trial board. 1t is not because they
think the board corrupt or that they are
afraid that justice will not be impartially
meted cut to offending patrolmen. But IT
is because they believe that the system
is imperfect and that there may be times
when the board will be actuated by per-
sonal feelings in disposing of the cases
that are brought before them.
Then, again, the Commissioners do not
believe that it is proper for police Off
cials to try those directly under them. 1t
would be far better, they think, to have a
trial board entirely unprejudiced. Sew
eral propositions have been made. one of
which is to have judges of the Police Court
try the men. Nothing, however, has been
decided, and the whole matter may be said
to be in an embryonic state. 1t seems
later the trial board as at present con-
stituted will be a thing of the past
Findings Inconsistent.
The great trouble has been that the
beard has not been consistent in its find
ings. Some days men are heavily fined
for trivial offenses, while at other times
officers guilty of serious breaches of discip-
line only receive light punishment. 1t is
but lust however, to say that in a large
majority of the cases sent to the Commits
sioners the findings of the trial board are
approx ed. Today, howeve was an excep-
tion, and officer Brady, who was tried for
neglect OF duty, and recommended by the
trial board TO pay a fine of $40, had his
fine doubled. This was the Endorsement OF
Col. Truesdell on the papers:
This is the second time within year
that this officer has been caught by In
spector Pearson. His defense is not salts
factory, and l recommend that the fine be
s,an l,nt ha he rad
that a repetition of this offense will cause
his removal from the force
kopp's Case OverruIed.
The Commissioners also overruled the
trial board in the case of Private r. j. c.
Kopp, who was tried on a charge of con-
duct unbecoming an officer and found Lot
guilty by the trial board. 1t seems that
Private Kopp was brought before the trial
board on the charge of conducting himself
in harsh, violent and disrespectful man
ner toward George Field, by causing his
arrest when IL was not justified by the
facts. AS stated above, the trial board
found Private Kopp not guilty The COM
missioners set aside this finding and ordered
the imposition of a fine of SO and warn
ing This action was taken upon the fol-
lowing rec ommendation Of Col. Truesdoll:
THE arrest of Mr.. Field appears to be
wholly unwarranted by the facts-one to
have been inspired more by spite than a
sense of duty. L recommend the finding Of
the trial committee be set aside and that
Officer Kopp be fined so and warned to be
careful in making arrests.
The finding of the trial board in the case
of Private +. l.. Edelen, found guilty of
neglect of duty and fined SIS, was approved
by the Commissioners.
The Commissioners have also taken ac-
ton in the case of officer Murphy, who was
charged with brutally assaulting Peyton
Holmes. He was summarily dismissed yes
terday afternoon without being brought be-
fore the trial board.