The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-04-25
MATTERS AND THINGS THAT
AUSTIN'S POLICE SHOULD
RIGIDLY OBSERVE.
THEY ARE NOW ON THE BOOKS
AND ARER LAW.
Interesting to Policemen-The Force
Will be Sworn as the
Law Requires.


sections of the police regulations of the
city now in force that patrolmen should
observe. The public can form it's own
opinion of how they are observed:
Rule 4. No member of the police force
shall Except in the immediate perfor-
nance of his duty enter any place in
which any intoxicating drink may be
sold or furnished.
Rule 10. He must constantly patrol
his post, unless otherwise directed by the
chief of police, and must, by his vigi-
lance, render it extremely difficult, if not
impossible, for any one to commit crime
on his post The absence of crime will
be the2 ,st proof of the efficiency of the
polio and when on any post offences
trF emily occur there will be good rea-
- Il to suppose that there is negligence
OF want of ability on the part of the of
ficer in charge of said post; he must ac-
quire such knowledge of the inhabitants
within his post as to enable him at once
to recognize them; he should carefully
inspect every part of his post
Rule 20. He shall report to his COM
PERSONS Known OF
suspected of being gamblers therein, bur-
glars or offenders of any kind, and all
other information pertaining to his office.
Rule "A. He must recolect that in
making an arrest, he is not justified in
dong more than is absolutely necessary for
the safe custody of the prisoners until he
conveys them to their proper destination.
1t is his duty to keep his prisoners safely,
put he has no right to use unnecessary
violence, and he must not even use such
language as would be calculated to pro-
yoke or eXasperate them, for such CON
duct tends to create resistance in the
prisoners and a hostile feeling among
t4e bystanders towards the patrolman,
lie must not use his baton, EXCEPT in mr.
gent cases and in self-defence, nor con-
slider himself interfered with in the Der-
formance of his duty unless the interior
ence is active.
Rule 20. Patrolmen must not walk
together or talk with each other when
tney meet on the confines of their post,
uniesss to communicate as brief as DOS
slD!e' ana they must not engage in CONVEX
satlon with any person on any part of their
post. except in regard to matters CON
duties. '-'li
(Note-So i'm portant is ru1e25 considered
mat 1T rs printed partly in italics to make
it emphatic.)
Rule rs. He must not leave his post,
except in discharge of police duty, nor
shall he enter any house except in the
: Aecution of his duty, unless specially
Rule 81. He must pay particular atten-
ION to all public houses and drinking
1piaces on his beat, reporting those which
orderly.
Rule 20. Patrolmen shall not become
offended at any harsh or abusive Ian,
guage that may be applied to them, and
they will not make arrests in their own
quarrels or those of their families. ex,
cept under very grave circumstances, such
as would justify them in using means of
self defense.
Rule 30. They shall receive full and
systematic instructions and explanations
in respect to the police law, the laws of
the State and the laws and ordinances of
the city, so far as they consider police
duties, and also the rules and regulations
of the police department.
THE LAW.
The following articles are from the
laws on policemen:
Art. 1893. The marshal shall prescribe
rules and regulations for the government
of the police, and such rules and regula-
tons, when approved by the mayor and
city attorney, shall be printed and a COPY
furnished to the sergeant of police and
each policeman for his guidance and in
struction.
Mayor Mcdonald yesterday morning
stated that he would investigate and see
that the above was complied with.
Art. 1874. Before entering upon their
duties the sergeant of police and all police
ma Oh oil fn1y 1I,1 I r.
city officers, and in addition an oath to
obey all orders of their superior officers,
and to enforce all laws and ordinances
now, or hereafter to be, in force.
1t seems that none of the policemen
have taken the additional oath required
in the above article. The only oath on
file with the city clerk is the one pres
cribed for city officers. Mayor Mcdonald
stated yesterday morning that his atten-
ton had been called to this and that the
city attorney would be asked to prepare
ga form and he would see that the entire
police force took the oath "to enforce all
laws and ordinances"
Art. 335. The sergeant of police, or any
policeman, shall be subject to immediate
suspension and removal for any of the fol
lowing causes, tO-wit: ANY neglect
of duty 2. Leaving his or their post
3. Disobedience to a superior officer. 4
Drinking intoxicating liquors while on
duty ). Violation of police regulations
6. INSTRUMENTATION or misconduct. Z
Entering bawdy houses where intoXicat
ing liquors are sold, except in the dis
charge Of duty.
Art 33S. It shall be the duty of each
and every policeman of this city, at al
times. to preserve to the best of his ability
order, peace and quiet, to enforce stric
obedience to the laws of the State anG
the ordinances of this city, and to guard
the public health; and each and every po
liceman of this city shall have power
and authority, whether on duty or not, al
or in any place in this city, to arrest. take
charge of, confine or bring before the re
corder for trial. any and all persons in
this city violating any law or ordinance
whatsoever, or aiding or abetting any such
violation, or being found under suspicious
circumstances.