The San Francisco call., 1898-01-25
CHIEF LLOYD
 IS BLAMED Has Not Even Suspended Reckless Officer
 Murcell. The Incident Chased With Others of Recent Occur
 renee.
The Shooting al the Boy Directly Traceable 10 Lack of Disci-
 pline.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.

sos Broadway. Jan. 24.
 To the surprise of the general public Charles Murcell, the policeman who shot at boy yesterday, has not been suspended pending an investigation into his peculiar conduct. Murceu was appointed on the force two weeks ago, and evidently received no instructions from Chief Lloyd regarding the use of his gun or he would certainly have been suspended for disobedience of orders.
 It is now stated that when MurceII was trying to prevent the little fellow from getting away by firing at him, he fired one shot and that his pistol snapped three times. Had this accident to his gun not happened it is probable that Johnny Flannery an in dustrious little boy, would to-day be in the morgue because he tried to run away from a policeman who did not know his duty And Johnny's great crime, for which he was shot at. was that of jumping on a train.
 MurcellS excuse is that he did not intend to hit the boy, but merely to frighten him. Others who saw the shooting say that it was a miracle the lad was not killed, as Murcell lost his head so completely he did not know what he was doing. The same indis- cretion shown when the trains were as crowded as they were to-day would certainly have resulted in murder.
 Murceu says that no enc else was on the street when he fired, but this is not so. for other children were there. and some were found to-day who went home and told their parents that they had seen a policeman shoot at boy, and were considerably frightened. The incident is the talk of the city to-day, and Chief Lloyd is being very roundly criticized for not at least suspending the stupid officer till an investigation has been made. It is understood that MurceI is one of the new men whom Chief Lloyd was particularly anxious to have appointed on the force. The incl dent has not created as much surprise as it would have done couple of years ago, before the department was so com pletely demoralized and undisciE,lined as it is at present. When the neg off cers were appointed and the neI ser geants named all sorts of instrultions were given them regarding theiz gold lace, velvet collars, brass buttons and other fine looking things, but judging from Murcell's action it does nCtt ap- pear that much of other instructions was given them. The whole aim If the past two years has been to render the force ornamental, and it's usefulness
 
 and fancy drills have received mose at tention than police instruction, ard the fact that Chief Lloyd has not punished his friend is regarded as indicating that the officer actually did not know what to do.
 Murcells folly is regarded as being about on par, as far as judgment is concerned, with the actions of Chief Lloyd in connection with Attorney Me Elroy's check for $20. which was re- turned to the lawyer as soon as the facts were published in The Call. It is expected that the Police Commissioners will take some action tomorrow. and may reprimand both Chief and subordi- nate. In discussing the affair to-day Chief Lloyd said:
 While no verbal instruction on the use or non-use of a pistol was given by me to Murcen since he became a member of the force, yet the printed rules, of which every member is given a copy, have in structions on that point Of course Mur- cell should not have used his pistol under the circum stances. The rule is to shoot only in felony eases where prisoners are seeking to escape, and then only under such circumstances as lead the police mans judgment to believe it absolutely a necessary and proper course. Great judg- ment should be exercised. It is apparent that Murcell had an exaggerated sense of ms duty. lie should have handcuffed the two boys while turning in the call for the wagon. He might have struck the boy killed him: and it would have been mur- der or other serious results might have occurred. ] can hardly believe Murcell aimed to hit the boy. In cases like this where an inexperienced man is trying to do what he believes to be his duty I do not feel like scolding or using harsh rem rimand. but strong, earnest advice I he lieve to be the proper thing Were an ex- perienced officer to do Murcell is said to have done. l should consider him a dangerous man to have the authority of Q police officer.