The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-02
THE COMMISSIONERS MEET
Officer Hancock Dismissed From
The Force
For Entering a Barroom and Drink.
ing While on Duty. Officer Mel
son for Violating Section So
Of Police Regulations Was
Fined Five Dollars.

The regular weekly meeting of the
Board of Police Commissioners WAS
held in the Mayors office ut 5:l5
o'clock yesterday afternoon with Com
missloners Bolton and Verdier present.
In tue absence OF Mayor Petit,
President oil the Board, WHO was de-
tanned at home by sickness, MIR.
Nerdier was called to the chair.
charge was preferred by Sergeant
kircbmler against Officer Nelson for
violating section 50 Of the Police Regu.
latious IN leaving his beat and entering
the bakery OF Mr.. Il. z. Sale. on the
morning of July 29th, aud getting
something to eat. The officer pleaded
guilty To the charge, but gave as an ex.
cuse FOR doing so: That he was late
getting home that morning, and did
not have time 10 get his break tast, aud
that after going on duty he felt badly,
and fearing that he might be taken
sick, went to the door OF tho bakery
and called for cup of coffee aud two
rolls, and Just AS liz had finished eat.
ing Sergeant kirchmier came up.
Tho Board took the ground that it
was very bad example for an old
officer to set, who WAS familiar with
the rules of the Board; hut 1t was the
duty of Officer Nelson to be pattern
Tor the new members to follow so as to
place the force on the highest standard
OF proficiency ana excellence, and
| assessed q fine of 50 against the officer
with the precaution thnt ii he repeats
the act he will be dropped from the
force.
Officer Hancock was arraicue6 ON
| charge preferred against him by Act
ing Chiei Of Police KING, for conduct
prejudlcat to tho good order and dis.
cipline of tue force III entering u bar-
room and drinking Intoxicating liquors
while on duty.
Chei King testified that the matter
hau been reported to him by two geu.
tiemen WHO were IN the bar at the
time, aud That on mentioning the mat
Ter TO Officer Hancock, he admitted
that he had done So on two occasions,
but gave us his reasou sickness.
Officer Hancock was heard in his
own behalf He confessed to the
charge aud repeated what ho had told
Chief King. sickness being the cause
oil II. lie SAID lie was not drinking
man and had not been SO for twenty
years; that he had been very sick
| lately aud suffered Mt times from tho
asthma. and WAS suffering very much
on the night he drank aud did it only
TO got relief. He had seen his error
and was sorry for the act. He threw
his case upon the mercy OF the board.
The Board discussed his case ut some
length, md DEPRECATED very much the
action OF Oihcer Hancock, as he had
proven very efficient officer since he
had been on the force, but in view Of
au order passed by the Board at u
meeting held November 2Sth, preemp
torily dismissing any officer from the
force who was found guilty Of drinking
intoxicating liquors either on or of
duty, 1t was
He$olCed. That Officer Hancock be
dismissed from the force on aud after
August LIST, 1895.
a hl!l against Oflicor A. d. Wood.
bouse due MIR. j. n. Jones for board
was turned over to The clerk with the
| order that lie instruct the officer to
pay the account and not have the
Board annoyed with such matters.
Adjourned.