Evening star., 1897-06-04
BEFORE THE BOARD
Charges for Which Policemen May Be
... Brought to Trial.
AOW TEE PRESENT SYSTEM OPERATES
Men VINO Do Not Approve Of Be-
go ing Punished Twice.
STORIES OF THE FORCE

When a member Of the police force Is
tried and convicted in the Police Court
on a charge of assaulting a prisoner or
viola ting any of the ordinances, 1t is rea-
scnably certain that ne will also be hauled
before the police trial board. and then 1t
is that he questions the authority Of the de-
spartment to cause a second trial for the
same offense. If there is anything in the
constitutional provision that man shall
not .r twice put In jeopardy the police
think it should be applied to just such
eases this. True ii is that he cannot be
sent to prison by the second tribunal, but
lie can be punished even more severely
than the court could punish him for violat
ing some laws. Indeed 1t is claimed by the
blue-coated guardians that the second trial
really amounts to third punishment, for
the judges of the Police Court have fire.
quently said that police lawbreakers were
given double what any other citizen would
get under the same circumstances. But be
that it may. the policemen are tried by
the board after the Police Court hearing
and dismissal from the force or the tmpo-
sition of fine sometimes results, while II
sometimes happens that the judgment of
the Police Court is by no means sustain d.
Police Court trials of policemen are as pub
lie as are those of citizens. but such Is not
the case when they get before the trial
proc eeding.
The rules of the department make proyi-
SION for the trial of an officer who has been
given court trial. for section > of the
manual says that a member of the force
may he removed from office in addition to
any penalty to which he may be subject by
law, against whom certain charges may be
following:
Where He May Err.
Intoxication. or the use of liquor while
on duty
"WiIlful disobedience of orders or insub-
ordination
Showing disrespect for or to a superior
or other person by violent, coarse or inso-
lent language
receiving money or other valuable con-
slderation contrary to the rules and regu-
lations or the laws.
Willful Noncompliance with any rules
aHd regulations adopted by the board OF
Commissio ionerS"
lnefficiency by reason of physical disa-
bility or otherwise or neglect of duty.
Willfully maltreating using unnec-
essary violence toward a prisoner or other
person.
Neglect or refusal to pay a Just debt.
contracted during time of service, pro-
Vided such debt, unless admitted, shall be
evidenced by hnai Judgment of court of
competent jurisdiction.
Conduct unbecordng an officer"
While these are some of the principal
onenses which are likely to he charged
against officer there are numerous other
rules and regulations governing the police
men which may work the most serious
consequences.
As the rules require that all cases where
sworn charges are made must be tried, 1t
is an easy matter to get an officer before
the board In some respects policemen
think the rules should be changed. for
when charges are preferred Dy irresponsi-
bic parties, and frequently by persons who
have been arrested the major, they think
should have authority enough to order that
no trial be had should he see there is no
reason for taking up the time of the board.
The trial OF an officer on frivolous charges
puts him to the same amount of trouble as
if he had really committed a crime and
frequently puts him to an unnecessary ex-
pense.
Asking q Change.
Then. again. 1t is urged, the manner of
trying them should be changed. Instead Of
the present star chamber proceedings many
think there should be open sessions. and
the cases should be disposed of Immediately
as they are in most cities OF any size. The
trial board at present is composed of the
captain and two lieutenants. who hold ses-
sions every Wednesday in the back room
of the sixth precinct station These ses-
sions frequently last all day and some
times they are not finished until two or
three sessions have been held. The testi-
mony is all taken. and when this has been
submitted the trial board. which has no
final authority, submits a recommendation
to the major.
II the major is satisfied with this sug-
Eestion the paper is forwarded to the Com
missoners. and in the course Of several
weeks. and sometimes several months. the
policeman learns what has been done. Now
these long delays. so policeman remarked
the other day. have the effect Of fmpa!ring
the efficiency of the man who is kept In
suspense so long time. Police trials in
New York and other large cities are con-
Quoted by police commissioners. and the
fate of the men Is not intrusted to men
who may know of the mans general de-
meanor. Then. too. these commissioners
have complete authority. and the cases are
disposed of the same as are the cases tried
in the courts. So far as the police are con-
cerned. many of them favor being tried by
board composed Of men who are not
members OF the force. although when
charged with the more serious offenses
they favor delays in the final action. as 1t
gives them time to get their influence to-
gether. and sometimes results so 1t is
stated. in inefficient men being fined and
kept on the force. instead of being re-
moved.
How Charges Are Brought.
When violations of the general rules of
the force are charged the charges are gen.
orally brous Mt ~ an inspector or sergeant,
as these are me officials to whom Is in
trusted the duty of watching over the men
and assist IN maintaining the discipline of
the force. In connection with the work of
the night inspectors and sergeants. many
amusing stories have been related In the
stations. While the sergeants are supposed
to be on the lookout for the men they In
turn are looked after by the inspectors and
the records show that some Of the ser
geaEts were weighed and found wanting.
In one case several years ago an old SER
geant. one who had done duty on the force
for at least a score of years. was brought
up for smoking in the station while on
duty. 1t was nearly midnight, and a few
minutes later he would have been free to
use his pipe. but instead of waiting, he
took a few puffs and the board compelled
him to pay $ for each puff Another SER
geant was caught as he vas in the act of
drinking a glass OF beer that had been
handed him. and this drink cost him
money enough to have rushed the growI-
err twenty times. On one occasion when
two officers were followed to a brewery
they were put in a wagon concealed he
tween beer kegs and driven to another
part Gf their beat The excuses given by
the officers when they caught are as
novel as they are varied, and Sometimes