New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-19
WHAT DOES MR. LEXow THINK OF THIS?
4 ctvu-srRvrcE BOARD WITHIN THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT WOULD FORM FITTING
ANTICLIMAX TO THE INVESTIGATION

DEPARTMENT NDl LII lpNh y ri 'i'''
ANrLcLIMAX TO THE INVESTIGATION
A roLLcEMANs LETTER.
To The Editor OF The Tribune.
Str: Tho bill for the reorganization OF the Police
Department. which Mr. Lexow says will be pre-
scented on Thursday. and passed Immediately. con-
ta!ns a provision that the Board Of Police shall
prescribe regulations FOR admission into the police
force and shall appoint civil Service Board, con-
sisng OF one Inspector and four captains OF police
10 make the examinations which are required 10
ascertain the fitness OF candidates.
The recommendation that this provision should he
Incorporated in the proposed bill was made In the
original report OF the Lexow COMMITTEES. but II
was so absurd In the Hight " the facts demonstrate
by that investigation that members Of the COM
mittec I'D not have the hard.hood in their first
bill 70 follow their own advice. The silence OF the
press upon the subject has now evidently beeA
construed 10y them "a indicating the indifference
or ignorance OF the public. and they propose AS
a remedy FOR the corruption OF the Police Depart
mcnt. that CIVILIZATIONS and appointments be mere
after made entirely subject 10 the influence OF
that corruption.
II the Police Department is corrupt as 1t has been
proved to be- on the evidence OF its own officials. II
is-by is own regulations regarding appointments
and promotions 20 do what it can to maintain and
continue its corruption And this is TO be the re-
suit OF the Lexow investigation,
A. 1t may interest the public to know wha; honest
members OF the force think OF this provision. |
nclose for publication letter which | received Il
month ago complaining ~ the rule which then ex
listed permitting "A police inspector TO share In the
examinations OF the Civl Service Board. That
rule has since been repealed, and the examinations
should continue 10 be entirely under the control OF
the Cvil-Scrvice Commission. {. W. WATSON.
New-Iork. March IL. 1925.
The following is the letter from policeman
addressed 10 Mr. Watson:
Sir: | take the liberty Of calling your attention
to certain matters which hope YOU may remedy.
am a member of the police force. and in the line
OF promotion. Heretofore the examinations held
Police Department. have been farce and fraud.
no regard whatever being paid to the abilities
the qualifications o: the candidates. the ones
possessing the greatest amount OF political or
the list. | believe in "A great many cases. the IA
vorcd ones were furnished with copy OF the ques-
tons to be submitted Il always VII continue TO
he as long as any person connected with the
Police Department has anything whatever 10 do
with the framing OF the questions TO he submitted.
or the ratings OF the percentages, or Is IN any
IL may be agreed that you and your colleagues,
not being familiar with the rules and regulations
OF the department, would not be competent To
pass upon the merits OF the applicants regarding
police duties To overcome that argument. would
suggest that you request TO be furnished with
copy OF the Police Manual. issued by the Board OF
Police for the informa ton and guidance or the
force. 1t fully defines the duties OF every person
connected with the force. from the superintendent
down TO the doorman. and hrmly believe that
YOU and your associates are possessed OF sufficient
intelligence to Judge as TO the most competent
among the applicants. without the assistance or
any one connected with this Police Department.
| express the sentiments of many others who.
like myself. only wish to see justice done. which
Will never be long as any person connected with
the Police Department has anything whatever to
do with the examination. IN any manner. shape or
form.