The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1897-08-04

There is now no doubt that the long
predicted overhauling of the police de-
partment is here at last, and that Inn
portaat changes may be looked for in
short order.
Commissioner Wright yesterday an
nounced his Intention of beginning today a
systematic investigation of the depart
rnent, going fIom precinct 10 precinct, and
fIom lowest class Officers to the major
himself.
One OF the plans which he viii use In
tins investigation will be TO summon
the lIeutenan of each precinct before him
and put TO MIN questions In detail as to
the methods used in his station and ms
general ideas on police matters. He Will
also probably examine the records of each
station, and where specific complaints
have been made look into them closely
After the precincts the detective bureau
viii be subjected to the same tests, and
following this the office of Major Moore.
Commissioner Wight said TO Times
reporter yesterday that while he has in
mind a number OF changes which he deems
necessary lac has by no means reached any
definite decisions, and his whole future
action with regard to the police department
will rest upon the findings Of the investi-
cations.
1T seems to me in view OF the many COM
paints against the police" he said, that 1T
is my Lain duty, as the Commissioner under
whom the department is placed TO look
over the record most thoroughly. 1t is my
purpose, therefore, to take plenty OF time
ard sift all complaints and alleged faillngs
to the bottom. Ny method win probably be
a thorough examination of the procedure
| and practices OF each precinct and officer
and an examination of officials specifically
! complained against. My investigations
will be conducted personally.
II have scarcely made beginning
| yet, andcer.ainly have not gone far enough
| to reach any conclusions. 1t is most prob
atIe, however, that 1 shall make some
important changes in the detective office
and perhaps in several Of the heads Of de-
partments."
These Investigations are being watched
with breathless interest by all concerned
as upon them will obviously depend many
changes IL the department which may in
volve any member Of the department, from
| the major down to the most obscure pri-
vate.
The report recently submitted by Ma jor
Moore with regard TO the responsibility OF
! the police for the escape OF the ravisber
Carr has teen approved by Commissioners
Wight and BLACK, a maJority of the hoard,
thus ma king it an official record Com
missioner Black, in addition to his APP
| prevail. however, added the following caus-
tic structure on the police force:
I'm reading his report am struck with
the fact that. with the exception of Pri-
| Yates Hendricks and Hoagland, and, posi-
bly,. of sergt. McTaegsrt and Lieut. Boyle,
bad management as displayed on the part
OF every officer involved And in sew
eral instances It Is conceded that the
bad management Is the direct result OF
imperfect details or practices. Such d
record reflects severely upon those in
authority W. NJ BLACK
Capt. Black is equally interested with
Commissioner Wight I'm betterment OF
the police service I'm the city, and before
he left the city Monday, SO expressed him.
self.
AS the department however, falls prim-
erny under the charge of Commissioner
| Wight, lie viii personally conduct the in
vestiEation and at it's close will probably
confer with tile other Commissioners with
regard to the proper action to be taken