Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-05
DISTRICT POLICE FORCE
It is the Most Cosmopolitan Of Any City in
the World
Thirteen Distinctive, Nationalities and
World Are.Aepresented.

Washington probsbH has the most cos
mopolitan police fopos Of any city in the
world.
OF Ats members Oh the force 30 were born
on foreign soil, and they represent thirteen
distinctive nationalities, though sixteen diff
ferent parts Of the world are represented In
the places of their nativity.
Maj. William G. Moore, chief of police,
was born in the District Of Columbia and Is
an American of most pronounced PRO-
clivities, and although one-sixth OF the
force under him came into the world In
places outside Of the United States, he re-
CARDS them all as distinctiyely American,
patriotic and energetic in the performance
Of their duties.
Method of Appointment.
ne military services of the United States
had a monopoly of appointments on the
police force here until few years ego,
when, in order to give the chief OF police
wider scope in the appointment of his as
sistants. Congress passed law permitting
such appointments to be made from either
civilians or men who had seen military SER
vice. Previous to that men who had served
in the army or navy were selected for the
police force because 1t was supposed that
their military training especially htted them
to place premium on such service 1t had
been hard enough to retain good men in the
army and navy, and it was believed that II
five years enlistment would entltle
soldier or sailor to be appointed on the po-
lice force which places have always been
regarded as very desirable by them, there
would be greater incentive FOR them 10
serve the government on small salaries and
under strict discipline during the period or
enlistment. While this method of selecting
officers was satisfactory for some time, eS-
pecally when there were comparatively
young men who had done service during the
civil war, it became apparent few years
ago that this restriction was working harm
to the service. So it was that. Maj. Moore
was allowed to select his men as ne saw. fit
Thirteen NatiOnalitiea Represented.
This wide discrimination has resulted in
an improved service, and, as stated. has
called into that service people who repre-
sent thirteen nationalities. AS would be
supposed, Ireland is at the head of the list
and of the ninety foreigners in the service
just one-half of them have to thank the
Emerald Isle for giving them their first
resting place after coming into the world
Fortyfour policemen and one messenger
We're born in Ireland.
Germany comes next on the list of ma
tionalities, and that country provides
eighteen members of the metropolitan po-
lice force-seventeen patroimen and one
station keeper. 1t is thought that the COM
pulsory military service of the fatherland
is partly responsible for this high showing
Of her citizens on the police force.
England Is third in the list, and provides
ten members of the force-nine patrolmen
and one station keeper.
Other parts of the world represented
on the force are: Canada, four patrolmen;
Denmark, two patroimen; Scotland, two
patrolmen, while Italy. Spain, France,
Sweden. Austria, Wales, the West Indies,
New Brunswick and the Island of Madeira
rp a r Qf nno fr1ln
OF the three matrons who do duty at police
stations one was corn on Prince Edward
Island and one in England. Among the
surgeons, clerks. laborers and drivers en-
ployed on the service there are none of
foreign birth.
Major Moore was asked today by Star
reporter whether he could detect any more
or less efficiency on the part of members
of his force because of nativity or military
service. He replied: t,
What Mai. Moore Says.
Il cam OF notice any difference because
of these reasons, The men all know what
their duty is. end our discipline requires
them to perform it. If any one fails to do
this there is trouble in camp.
In some way the military man has had
experience that gives him advantage in
this service, but there are reasons why the
civilian appontee is placed at an advan-
tage. OF course the military man under
poets of him, and his training in the army
and navy is desirable III that way. On the
other hand, @he is apt to be a little less
likely to know how TO deal with civilians
than is the man appointed from civil life.
\ civil appolntee Is not long in learning
our discipline, and. as l said, they all fall
into line in the performance of their duty,
so that no difference can be seen between
men of this varied experience"
Maj Moore was not aware that he is at
the head of perhaps the most cosmopolitan
police force in the world until informed of
that fact by Star reporter, who by his
permission made an. examination of the
records of the Office which show the nativ-
ity of all men in the service. He cares
nothing for either questions of nativity or
previous experienee. but simply wants
wide-awake, athletic men, who will do
their duty in keeping the city in order.
There are other cities in this country
that have larger proportion of foreigners
in their police forces, but SO far as can be
learned no city can boast of having SO
many nationaiities in such service as can
Washington.