The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-17
BERTILLoN SYSTEM ADOPTED.


BERTILLON SYSTEM ADOPTED.
Superintendent Colbert was authorized to
make arrangements to have Indianapolis
included in the Beltillon criminal identif-
cation circuit, at cost of $50 a year. The
superintendent met the head of the Ber-
tillon Bureau while he at Pittsburg
last spring, and, as a result of correspond
ence he suggested at that time, the board
has adopted the system for Indianapolis.
The board received bids for building new
two-horse patrol wagon last night for the
use of the central station. After the substa-
lions are established g one-horse wagon
will be kept at each, Superintendent Col
bert urged the necessity for a new wagon
last night saying that the one now in use
is about ready to fail down. Two horses
have been disabled on account of ttle long
runs that are necessary since the suburbs
were annexed. 1t has become necessary to
establish a rule requiring officers on outer
districts to walk their prisoners to the sta
ton when the wagon is out on a long run.
All officers in the central districts have to
walk their prisoners in unless they are too
badly intoxicated to walk.
A written communication from Superfn-
tendent Colbert called the attention of the
board to a subject on which there has been
much complaint. 1t was as follows:
Complaint reaches this office that some
of the special officers, acting under police
powers granted by your honorable board
are wearing the regulation uniform of this
department. This in my Judgment, is I'M
fair TO the members of the regular force
and misleading to the public, from the fact
that reports come to me of some of these
special officers being under the influence
of liquor, going in saloons and beer gar
denS and drinking in public places and
committing other indescretions for which
the regular patrolmen are being criticised,
for the reason that the special officers and
the regular patrolmen are uniformed alike.
l respectfully suggest that your honorable
board pass an order prohibiting any person
other than members of this department
from wearing the regulation police uni
form"
The board made an order in accordance
with the superintendent suggestion. Spe-
cial officers win be notified to discard the
regulation uniforms. If they disobey the
order their powers will be revoked.
The police powers of Fred Lonnis, who
acted as special officer at Phoenix Garden.
were revoked on the recommendation of the
superintendent. Special powers were
granted to Thomas Low, at Carter & Lees
r. Lush, at the indianapolis Light and
Power Company; Louis b. Grim and
Charles B. Sorters, al Fairbank park; r.
F. Walker and v j. Alberts, at Wildwood;
Moses Harris, at the Holt Cold Storage
Company.
There was some talk about the com
plants that are made against bicycle
scorching. superintendent Colbert said
that he had detailed several bicycle police
men in citizens clothing to look after
scorchers exclusively. 1t is almost impos-
sible for the regular patrolmen to capture
the scorchers, but by having mounted 9TH
GERS without uniforms to warn the law Vio-
lators he hopes to break up the practice.
John Glazier, captain at engine house
No. TO- has invented a new nozzle which
proved a great surprise at a preliminary
test made of it last night. Another test is
to be made this afternoon at o'clock,
it. The nozzle is attached to a wagon and
operated by hand.