The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-12-28
THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE.
THE REPORT or THE COMMITTEE
 OF ISYEsTIG4TIOS.

A Communication From Rev. Dr. Newman
 smyth Commenting Upon the Evidencs
 Brought Out at tho Investigation.
 Following Is the report to the board of police commissioners of the commit- tee appointed to investigate alleged ir- regularitics and evils in the manage ment of the city's police force; and following their report k communica- tion from Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth to the board concerning the testimony given at the recent investigations:
 To the Board of Police Commissioners
 of the City of New Haven:
 At meeting of your board held OH the 10th day of October, 1894, all the members and the mayor heinz present, {, charges involving the conduct of one or more of the police commissioners, as stated In the resolutions unanimously adopted by your board, were publicly md formally made to your board against the efficiency of the police force Of the city by an association com posed of d large number of respectable citizens Of New Haven known as '"The Law and Order League of New Haven" Whereupon your board unanimously adopted resolutions that committee consisting of the mayor and two com missioners to be appointed by him, be raised to Investigate whether there appears to be truth in such charges, and if so the proper method of investi- gation:" the committee to have power to subpoena witnesses and ito report to the board at such times as they see fit, provided that not less than two days notice be given"
 The mayor appointed Commissioners Prince and Doolittle, who with the mayor constituted the committee which was approved by your board.
 And now, said committee having held mauy meetings, and having heard statements made under oath, by T large number of the police force and other witnesses, beg leave to report as l follows:
 The expression of opinions as to whether there ought to be or ought not to be any laws in existence against any mode of gambling, against the selling of alcoholic liquors on Sundays or to minors, against drunkenness, immorali- | ty and crime, or against the carrying on of any business or calling considered to be productive or promotive of immor- ality and crime, is not within the prov | inve of this committee.
 But as such laws, intended for the promotion and well being of the com munity do exist, and as under the laws it is the duty of the police department and of each and every member thereof to be vigilant and active in an en- deavor to enforce them, 1t is within the scope of the investigation ordered by your board to inquire and report to you whether or not the police force of the l city appears to be vigilant and efficient in detecting the infraction of these laws, and in arresting, the lawbreakers. and l in taking them before the courts with | the proper and necessary evidence to | warrant their conviction and punish ment.
 Whether the ends of justice are de- feated by neglect to prosecute or by delays in prosecution till the witnesses are absent. or by nolles on payment of costs, thus avoiding convictions that under the laws must be followed by a revocation of licenses, tends to the dis couragement of the police force as is alleged in the evidence, is another ques- tion that is beyond the province of your committee, except to suggest that if such be the fact it cannot be expected that the members of the force will be zealous .n the performance of their duty in connection with the liquor laws.
 But within the scope of this investi- gation are the questions whether any, one, or more. of the members of the police commissioners has used or made it appear that he would use, or lend, his official position or influence, to screen from detection, exposure, arrest or punishment any violators of such laws or of any laws that are within the province of the police department to enforce; or whether any police con- missioner now in office has been in f1uenced to do this or to nave it appear that he would do it, on account of busi- ness interests, and whether he sought the office of police commissioner. or uses or had used such office for the purpose of business gain, by adding to the number of his customers, or holding present customers, through the expec- tation of their part of the use of his official influence in shielding any cus- toner from exposure or from the lawful penalty for wrong doing, or whether any police commissioner has, for any reason. protected or appeared willing to pro-. tect or shield, by the use of his official influence any wrong doer from such exposure and punishment.
 Your committee. therefore, upon the evidence submits the following as it's first report:
 l. Your committee finds the facts to be as, charged, that there has been a lack of vigilance and efficiency on the part of the police in the enforcement of the laws for the prevention or SUD- pression of the various forms of gambling and other vices, and espe- cially in the enforcement of the laws against Sunday liquor selling. But since the beginning of the hearings before your committee and the taking testimony by your committee, there has been, a comriendable and success full activity by many members of the force in these directions.