The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-04-07
WRINN MADE ACTING CHIEF
SUPERINTENDEN ENT SIIITn RETIRED
ON 4 pension or 5000.

the Central Station-Sergeant Trip
Made Acting Captain and Patrolman w.
G. Doherty Acting Sergeant of the Grand
Avenue Precinct.
The police commissioners, after sew
eral Intellectual attempts last evening
to elect a superintendent of the de-
partment to succeed TreadWell e.
Smith, whom they retired at his own
request, made a number of details,
which partially solves the vexed ques-
ton, which has been the cause of much
reflection and thought, as well as a
source of public interest for several
months.
The session was held behind closed
doors, but it is understood that before
anything was done toward retiring the
superintendent it was agreed by all
that should there be no choice of a
superintendent they would unanimous
ly agree to make the details herein set
forth
This arrangement is to hold only I'M
til the 18th day of June, unless the
board in the interim agrees upon some
plan which shall make the changes per-
manent instead of temporary, The ex-
silence of the new order of things is
contingent upon the success which at
tends it's operation. Should it be found
inimical to the best interests of the de-
partment the board will doubtless
evolve another remedial measure. This,
however. is not deemed likely to hap
pen, and it is possible that the changes
made last evening may be made perma-
nent
When these essentials had been
| agreed upon and each vote affecting
the same recorded, Superintendent
Smith was called into the room and
his resignation, which has been in the
hands of the board for several weeks,
was formally accepted. AS retired
officer the former superintendent will
| receive 5000 per annum during his life.
Several ballots were then taken for
superintendent, but without resulting
| in choice. Colonel Frank T. Lee re-
! Captain Brewer one. On the next bal
| lot two votes went to Brewer, and Ser
geant Trip was brought into the race
as a feeler. There We're several other
| ballots taken and only resulted in Civ
| ing emphasis to the fact that there
| could be no choice made of super
| intendent.
During the whole of the balloting the
democratic members stood solidly for
Captain Wrinn and waited until their
republican colleagues tired themselves
out in their fruitless attempt to unite
upon candidate.
| The board then took up the detail
agreed upon and made the following
changes: Captain James Wrinn of pre-
cinct l, was detailed to act as super
intendent beginning Saturday, April 10.
He will be succeeded at station 1 by
| Captain James Brewer of station 4,
taking UP the duties formerly imposed
upon Captain Wrinn. Captain Wood
ruff was changed from station to sta
tion 4, and Captain O'Keefe from Grand
avenue station to Howard avenue sta
! ton.
Sergeant Trip of Dixwell avenue pre-
cinct was made acting captain and de-
| tailed to precinct q taking the place
of Captain O'Keefe, and Sergeant Ber-
gen was sent to DixwelI avenue from
station .. This shift left vacancy OF, a
sergeant, which was filled by making
Patrolman William G. Doherty acting
sergeant. He was detailed to the
Grand avenue precinct. All these
changes take effect on Saturday.
There is no change in the salary of
ayn of the men shifted.
The members of the board when ask
ed if these changes were likely to be-
come permanent would not express any
opinion as to the matter and simply
allowed the subject to rest on the basis
OF probationary appointments. AT
ter the selections were made each one
of the appointees was called before the
board and given to understand what
was expected of him.
| While the commissioners were averse
to expressing any opinion as to the per-
manence of these appointments. there
seems to be a feeling abroad that thew
will be made permanent on June IS
During the interim the board will
keep a close watch on the department
with a view to making it more effec-
tual
Superintendent Smith was appointed
in June, 1891, and in October of the
same year took UP the duties of the
office. He had served in the depart
ment in almost every capacity from
patrolman up to the highest office con-
nected Herewith. He has been an eff
cient officer.
Acting Superintendent James Wrinn
who takes up the work laid down by
his old associate, and latterly superior
officer, has been member Of the force
since 1867, and has seen all the ups and
downs and changes that have over
taken the department. His record
speaks for itself and everyone is salts
fled that Superintendent Smiths mantle
has fallen upon one worthy of it.