New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-06
POLICE REORGANIZATION.
prrIs PREPARED BY THE PARKHURsT
SOCIETY.

THREE COMMISSIONERS TO BE APPOINTED BY
TIE MAYOR FOR THE PURPOSES OF REoR-
-.N1z,SG THE FoRCE-AFTERwARD ONE
COMMISSIONER is TO ADMINISTER THE
AFFAIRS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND
CHIEF OF POLICE is TO HAVE
CHARGE OF THE MEN
ecIatiye to the Police bills originated by It, the
s,cietv for the Prevention of Crime submits the
following memoranda:
The revelations Of the police investigation and the
consequent political revolution in NewYorK City
NOW matters of history; but the spirit which was
awakened. and the determination OF good citizens
70 Asht for and TO secure better civic condition
e,owing in strength and intensity.
The ridiculous inadequacy OF the bills proposed by
the Lexow Committee has disappointed the people
and that disappointment is growing into disgust
and anger. as the narrow. partisan compass of the
measures become more clearly revealed Not only
do the bills fail OF any great purpose. but within
their own narrow limits they are masterpieces OF
bunglng. 1t will do crticse these bills with
out proposing something in their stead especially
as the Police Department methods not we'll un-
derstcod outside Of the few who have fought their
way to a knowledge Of them.
The directors of the Society for the Prevention of
Crime have studied the department practically as
well theoretically and they venture al this time
10 propose measures which they believe will secure
the result so greatly desired and needed by the
people. far 1t is possible to secure them by
legislation
The time is ripe for radical and thorough legisa-
ton concerning this rotten department; therefore
the bills exhaustive in the treatment of the sub
ject.
The following some Of the leading features
OF the bills:
T. A thorough non,political reorganization Of the
summarily dismissed and their places promptly
. The creating of a board of elections and the
removing OF election matters from the Police e De
The abolition of the four-headed Police Com
mission.
police functions Of the Police Department and the
putting Of each set of functions in charge Of a
any other part of the department and yet is &C
s d Sy d oa '0r
3. The separation of the functions of appointing
p9Sa sn and S of
fishing of a respectable court Of police. that the
citizen has fair prospect of obtaining redress for
s. The establishing of undivided responsibility
ana 'hs and the of b
which the citizens may themselves hold him TO
that responsibility by prompt. orderly and judicial
! The auditing of the departments financial
s. Reformation in the detective and surgical de-
3 Conservative reformation of the pension
system.
THE SEPARATING OF FUNCTIONS.
The changing of the controlling power OF the de-
partment from board Of four commissioners Of
coordinate jurisdiction to duplex system, each
head having separate functions the police head be-
ing free from the interference OF the administrative;
and the requirement OF separately stating the func-
0s have we II P 70 s5 sG TO- dsp
resulted
The changing Of The election Work rom me sne foce
fundamental nature and has required exhaustive
While two o' Of the bills. therefore are long the
principles OF the changes are simple and are easily
seen.
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FORCE
We will here point out the important new mat
tiers in the bill
soidst ton act SO that the old Board Of Commission
ers will cease to exist on Ansnst Hs Sea the
Re ass asas W" Pq.lss sppS1ssd BY The
appointed by the Reorganization Commissioner; each
head having separate duties -, ~. Communication.
er, which are mainly to administer the fnances Oh
pojnt and control twenty-five surgeons at a salary
OF s22o each: to appoint patromen ana 70 naks w
required by the Constitution and to administer tne
pension fund Other a2propate dees now IN sc
The commissioner may be removed by the Mayor
at any time
DUTIES OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
s.c,,o, nrescrbes duties Of the Chief Of Police.
which are namely 10 enforce the laws and 10 main
tain the discipline of the force. with which duties
ne is especially charged. He may transfer ponce
men and may suspend deinquents and bring them
TO trial before the Court OF Police He shall make
rules for the force. Being given full authority en-
these matters without interference by the Couimis-
sioner. he be brought to trial before ine Mayor
for Proficiency incompetency, neglect OF DUTY mai
feasance. oppression. corruption etc. eltheI on sme
of the H bs o on 'hs na appeal from
the Mayors decision lies to the General Term OF the
Supreme Court. which may take evidence, ,...
Section provides for FIVE inspectors. and the city
must be divided into five districts. each 10 De com
Ths pte S S Bureau Is under the
the Chief and thus becomes as sn1hia p head
that may be easily called to account o., nouer.
and facilities for ferretng out crime ana corruption
in the department. permitting him to institute In
quiries. 10 hire outside assistance and to prosecute
certain offences before the Court OF Police on nior
He is empowered to prosecute all offenders before
said court, and wi:ful false swearing blackmail
tortion, oppression. wiful neglect Of duty assault
crime. together with ineficiency and incompetency
are made grounds OF dismissal or members from
the force.
THE COURT OF POLICE
Section IS establishes the Court Of Police, to be
composed Of three lawyers appointed by the Mayor
not members of the force 1t has exclusive power
10 try offences In the department, but 1t does
no, bar criminal trials. 1t must notify the crmi-
nal authorities of all its convictions Of police
mems offences amounting to crime. Onder
other section the Chief is required to give the same
notice when such offences are called to his atten-
tlon) Citizens may prefer complaints against po
lcernen. The proceedings are simple and the ma
chinery provided is suitable for efficient service
The judges must all sit in cases involving crime.
but minor may be tried before less than the
full bench. There IS no appeal
Section 10 fixes the compensation or the Judges
at 5000 year each. and limits the general ex-
penses of the court. which are charged TO the tx-
penses Of the department payable by the Commits
sioner
Section 20 provides for covering the Chiefs Office
~ n,s absence. 0n absence of the Commissioners
10 act IN his place.
sscuon y omts the present power OF the Police