New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
POLICE BOARDS POWERS.
THREE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WANT
THE LAW CHANGED.

THEY PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT EMPOWERING a
MAJORITY TO MAKE PROMOTIONS AND CUR
FAILING THE CHIEFS FUNCTIONS
Commissioner Parker was absent from the Police
Board meeting yesterday. and the other threo
Commissioners decided to ask the Legislature "
amend the Bipartisan law so that majority may
make promotions. The law now requires that men
can only be promoted by a full vote OF the boaro
or by a majority on the Chiefs recommendation
The Commissioners had before them the opinion
of the Corporation Counsel relative 10 inc po"e's
Of Chief Conn. The Corporation Counsel aeciueo
that the Chief and not the Board OF PONCE hao inc
mower to mako transfers. detaS and assignments
to duty. ,.
Commissioners Grant, Andrews and Roosevelt
agreed that the law should be changed so tna'
the majority of the Board can promote. ana also
that the power of making details be vested i" INC
BOARD The Commissioners agreed that the Id"
should be that hereafter no promotions De Haue
except by a majority of tho full Board Cniei
Cerk KIM called attention to the fact that II inc
law was worded that promotions must be maze ny
a majority of the full Board, 1t would be necessary
for all four Commissioners to be present VINE"
promotion l. made. ,.
n was decided to strike but the word full"
Commissioner Andrews was delegated 70 prepare
q bill providing that hereafter no promotions ais
missas and appointments be Tade except "
majority OF the Board; also, that transfers. assign
ments and details be made by the Board OF ro'''e
and that the Board have full power to delegate 10
the Chief the duties Of carrying out such TRANSFERS.
assignments and details.
II IA clearly the intention OF the three Noihi'i'
sloners to try have the law changed SO thAe 'eS
will be able to make promotions without MI farKer
or Chief Conlin. The promotions OF Actins inspect
ors Brooks and McCullagh are pending because VI
Commissioner Parker's opposition. The three want
to confirm them. but without MT f~fhef Vi '"0
The Commissioners are also anxious 10 nav .n
mower OF making transfers, details ana asss
taken away from the Chief. Under tne ioipai s;ns
bill and the Corporation Counsel OPINION, S nn
Conlin has the power Of detailing all the roundsmen
and the assignment of sergeans as acting captains
and captains acting inspectors -, ,,-.,..,
Another proposed amendment 10 the bipdIt ise =.
law is TO give the Board power to appoint sergedh's
from Neutrality-suspicious. 49,, ..,,, ,ha, tho
II was proposed at yesterdays meeting Una ny
COMMISSIONS proceed to name the Douhoa''eS Vi
the inspection districts -. - o,r,or
Acting Corporation Counsel Dean sent an opi ~
10 tho Board Thursday to whether the Chlei hdu
the power to change or modify boundaries OF pre-.
cincts or inspection districts. His opinion is not
clear on that point. He says the matter can De
answered without attempting to pass upon tne qut rs -
ton OF the relative powers or the f5odru anu tho
Chief OF Police. He says the Chief has the power
of assigning officers to duty without regard 10 tue
ilshed bv the Board. Under the Corporation Coun-
sells decision go ahead and name tne Douno o
aries of the inspection districts said MI Roose-
vet Mr. Andrews thought II better 10 wait. We
have not got the inspectors ne said anu tne
Hoard has not the power detail captains as acting
insnectors Colonel Grant also thought 1t advsa-
bic to wait and it decided to take the matter
IN a the meeting.