New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-25
POLICE REFORMS.

POLICE REFORMS.
1t is remarkable change which mas come
over the Police Department In the last rev
weeks. one which 1t will take New-iork people
some time TO comprehend In Its funess. Inc
new spirit Is indicated by the way the commas
sioncrs are performing their duties. by their atti-
tude toward the public, and by the readiness
which typical opponents Of the old police meth
DDS show TO retire from Force In whlch they
realize there is 10 longer to be field for brutal
ity Matchmaking or loose discipline commas
sioncr Roosevelt made a short address on Ihurs-
day evening before a meeting or the Clty WEI
lance League II was nOwise meant 10 DC
remarkable speech nor one Of sensational import.
Its sentiments expressed by any ordinary trustee
IN those whom he served would have sounded
COMMONPLACE so much would their friendly rela-
tons be considered matter of course Yet there
was something in Mr.. Rooscvelts words which,
coming from Police Commissioner. had SOUND
of novelty, indicated a policy Worldwide I'D us
difference from that which has so long oppresseu
the people of this city. I'm this work, said MT.
Roosevelt. I'VE must have the help OF the outsid-
..ers want TO say to you that II You know OF any
..abuse YOU will be doing Kindness by Calling
..our attention to It," Who before ever heard OF
q citizen being officially encouraged to make
COMPLAINT of the shortcomings OF New-lorI
policeman? For years the experience OF citizens
has been that the police authorities were banded
tocether 70 resist all efforts for the punishment
of wroncdoers among them, and to throw Oh
stacles In the way OF outsiders who sought 10
force them to do their duty. That the police
exist TO serve the people instead OF tho people
existing to furnish support for the police Is
proposition which, coming In sober earnest from
a Police Commissioner. may well cause uneas.-
ness in the department.
That this declaration should be Immediately
followed by the retirement Of the man who more
than any other typlhed to the public police Dr'-
tally and contempt for the rights OF citizens Is
noteworthy as coincidence, II not as Indicating
the determination Of officers who have no use Tor
a reformed Police Force to take pattern from the
patroman arraigncd the other day ana Throw
m their tin" rather than be held to strict d!sci-
Milne by though Board" The Commissioners
had no option but to retire Inspector Williams on
his application. He had been Twenty-Five years
In the department there were no charges pend
ing against him. and by law he was entitled 10
his pension But that fact does not diminish the
regret that he should for the rest OF his life draw
81 $50 a year as n reward for his career OF ciuD-
hing and intimidation. He has been an influence
Of evil in the Police Force, and his retirement
on almost any terms Is for the interest OF the
city II II Is followed by other vacancies In high
places, the department and the public VIII be
benefited.
The campalgn for reformed and reorganizcd
Police Force has evidently begun In earnest. ana
the manner in which II Is being carried on does
oreot credit 10 the Commissioners. They are
teaching their sub0rdnates discipline and cour
,esv. are carrying on police trials In way TO
strike terror TO delinquents and are making
Mulberry-st. an extremely unpleasant place for
a nerson. be he patrolman or chief, who Is not In
evmnothy with a radical reform In the conduct
Of the department. They are also teaching New
Workers a lesson That IL. that 1t Is men. and
not systems that make good government. There
has been great deal OF talk and worry and
fault finding about the number OF men who
should constitute the Police Board. Some said
tho liberties OF the people could only be trusted
=, four Others were convinced that honest adj
ministration could only he had with one. To
hath numbers were as vital a matter az they
were in the Pythagorean philosophy. But as one
honest man Is better than four dishonest ones,
four honest men are better than single dishon-
est one. and the whole question goes back to the
character Of the appointing power. Mayor
Strong was determined to have thorough reform
NJ the Police Force. He appointed four Com
mssiopers carefully selected for their ability TO
bring 1t about They are proving that integrity,
| determination and understanding are more valu-
able aids to governmental reform than any kind
of theories concerning the organization Of boards.