Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-06
OFFICERS ON TRIAL.

presided, and all the commissioners
Messrs. Lindsay, Strauss, Bryant and
Tackett-were present. The meeting
had been called for the purpose of con-
sidering charges which had been
brought by Captain Webster against
Officers Keith Davis and B. F. Belts,
tie former being charged with neglect
of duty and the latter with insubordi-
nation. The secretary, Mr.. Tackett,
read the communication from Captain
Webster, specifying the charges, and
the captain made verbal statement.
Mr. Dayis's case was considered first.
II was charged that four officers who
had secured the beat on which he YVES
supposed to be Friday night when
Mrs. Gregory was robbed) from SIX 70
nearly ten o'clock, were unable 10 ma
him. Mr.. Davis in his defense said he
according to permission granted by the
board, bad gone to his supper at SIX
o'clock and returned to his beat IN less
than an hour, and produced Wit
nesses to corroborate his statement:
Considering the excitement produced
in the Fourth ward on that night the
commissioners deemed it strange that
Mr.. Davis was not seen by the tour
officers who entered the beat for the
purpose of finding the men who had
committed the robbery. Mr.. Davis as
serted that he had seen one OF the 9TH
GERS some distance off and saw the
crowd which was following him. The
fact that be made no attempt to over
take the crowd or to ascertain the cause
of the tumult was, to the board, repre-
hensible, at least. Mr.. Bettis's case was
next considered. Captain Webster, in
his statement, said day or two ago be
had ordered Mr.. Belts to proceed to
the house of colored woman who
lived on Henry street and ascertain II
ANYTHING was wrong with her, it hav-
ing been reported NJ the station house
that she had not been seen for several
days. (The woman, it will be remem-
bered, was subsequently found dead in
the bouse) The accused was told to
telephone as soon as possible any in
formation he might receive in order
that the Coroner could be notified.
This he failed to do. Mr.. Belts plead
guilty to the charge, but said, in ex-
tenuation, that before reaching the VIC
mans house he had learned she was
dead and supposed Others were on the
way to the station house with the
news. He said, however, he should
have carried out the captains order;
that he had acted tboughtlessly and
the result would be lesson he would
profit by. There were other charges
of q general character which we're
urged by the captain, not of serious
nature, but at the same time obstacles
which had to be removed in order that
the force should work in concert. The
officers were given to understand that
the rules adopted by the board must
be obeyed, and should any exception
be taken to either of them by men,
Der of the force he was at liberty to
tender his resignation Immediately.
The entire force which had been SUM-
moned were then allowed to retire,
each being given copy of the new rules,
and the board, after some deliberation,
determined that the Mayor deliver, in
the name of the board, reprimand to
Officers Davis and Belts, in effect that,
while the formers whereabouts should
have been more apparent on the night
Of the robbery, his ofense was not of so
grave nature as to warrant any radi
cal procedure, but that the fact that he
could not be found by his brother off,
GERS was not satisfactory to the
board. The officer, in the repri-
mand, was to be made to understand
that when given an order by superior
officer he must take nothing for grant
ed, but carry out his instructions verb
atm ct literatum, sc. The Mayor was
also instructed to announce to Captain
Webster, in the name ofthe board, that
his zeal in the matters he had brought
to the attention of the commissioners
was commendable, Mayor Thompson,
in accordance with these instructions,
mad Officers Davis and Belts summon
ed before him this morning and deliver
ed the reprimands. Addressing Officer
Davis he said :
AS Mayor and ex-officio President
of the Board of Police Commissioners of
the city of Alexandria, it is my province
to publicly repfimand you for your fail.
ure to show yourself to the other off,
GERS Of the force which were sent into
your beat on the night of the first in
slant. The fact that, according to your
own statement, you saw an officer some
distance away followed by crowd
should have been sufficient for you to
at least to have made some inquiries
and to have shown yourself, especially
when large portion of the city was
excited. Waving the question whether
or not you were on your beat during
the time, the commissioners are of the
opinion that you showed spirit ofun-
concern at time when you, as an of |
Gcer, should have manifested zeal |
While the board have agreed 10 spare
you from the consequences which could |
have been Inflicted, they at the same
time urge upon you the importance OF
avoiding being the subject of similar
charges, as it is the sense of the board |
whenever an officer exhibits lack of ef-
ficieucy he is no longer fit person for
the position he occupies"
To Officer Belts he said:
''You have been charged with an Of
Tense, which, considering the fact that
you were at one time a soldier, is not
easily overlooked; but, as no serious is
sue is at stake, the board is disposed to
look upon the effront with some exteu-
uation. The principle, however, upon
which you acted is a great breach of
ba diooip1ioa IF fba ,>oI;,o f1-o. nL |