The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-15

Growing Hens They
Jay Come To a
Very Bad End.
ice BOARD EXERCISED
,stimony of An Accused
Roundsman Brings To
Light Some Strange
Doings.
ice BOARD EXERCISED

Board of Police Commissioners. Notwith-
standing the fact that President McGill
said that the penalties imposed on the
policemen who were brought to trial,
were very lenient. many of the persons
present thought them severe. The record
last night resulted in the dismissal of two
patroimen, the reduction to the ranks of
a roundsman and the fining of several
yother officers and men from three TO nve
days pay.
The first man brought before the Com
missioners was Policeman Edward O'Con-
ner of the Gregory street station. O'Con-
ner was accused of having left his post
on the night of May %. at 1911 O'clock,
and with being in a restaurant over d
block from his post. The charges against
O'Conner were preferred by Police Cap
tain Cody.
O'Conner plead guilty, and made a
statement. He said he had been out all
day on duty and had not eaten anything
from five o'clock in the afternoon until he
went to the restaurant for a cup of cof-
fee. He added that it was his turn to
sleep in the house on the evening of May
%, and he fell asleep as is customary
with the reserves when they have to re-
port for duty at midnight. He did not
awaken until it was nearly time to re-
port for inspection before going on post,
and therefore he had not time TO get
supper.
President MeGill interrupted the officer
and told him that he should not lave
deserted his post if he was dying with
out first notifying the station house. He
said the charges were of a very serious
nature. In imposing a fine of five Gays
pay he said it was only the excellent re-
cord borne by the officer that saved him
from dismissal
Policeman Charles Reinecke of the
First Precinct was accused by Inspector
Archibald of talking to several persons
while on post. Archibald testified that
on the evening of May %, while standing
in front of the City Hall, he saw Rein
ecke talking for at least ten minute
with several men. He did not hear any
of the conversation, but saw the officer
making motions as if he was holding a
confab-
"Reineeke stood with the men until /
whistled for him." said the Inspector.
Reinecke asked permission to ask the
Inspector a question.
ION the morning in question I went 10
or was I giving them information?'
asked Reinecke.
THAT l cannot TELL" answered the In
spector.
Reinecke then made the following state
+he morning in Question went to
the City Hall. where I was assigned. It
was the night before the Memorial Day
celebration and the walks in front of the
IL .ftre crowded w4tsi seoe47 49, ,.A...-
ed 10 see the pedestal OF the Soldiers aga
Sailors Monument. and the parade that
was to take place prior to the unveil-
ing of the same. A party of men whom
] never saw before came UP to me and
asked me all about the celebration. 1t
was while in conversation with these men
that the Inspector whistled for me- l
went over to him and he told me that I
would have to go before the Board and
answer charges of ~negecting my duty.
I nave since learned the names of the
men with whom I was talking and they
are here tonight as. witnesses for me-"
William H. Garrick, of Fourth street,
was the first witness called by Reinecke.
He said he had never seen the officer
until the night In question.
Myself and several friends were walk
ing about the monument and we met the
Officer he said. mot knowing the pars
ticulars of the celebration we stopped
him and asked him several questions
We found him very obliging and willing
to answer our questions. Had he not
done so 1 would have certainly reported
him to the Board"
The other witnesses were called for the
defense, but their evidence was deemed
unnecessary by President McGill. The
case was closed and Reinecke was found
guilty of the charge made against him
President McGill told the officer that
1T was his business to have informed the
Inspector of the nature of the conversa-
tion at the time and it would have saved
all the trouble. Reinecke got off with a
reprimand by the Chief of Police.
Chanceman William Gray was next
called to answer charges of conduct I'M
becoming an officer. He was accused OF
having grossly insulted Mrs. Miller. OF
No. Isl Washington street, Hoboken,
near the corner of Grove and Elghtn
street. while in full uniform. Gray's
name was called several times and, no
answer being received, Gray was dis
missed from the force.
Mrs. Miller Immediately after being in
suited went to the Second Precinct sta
ton n informed Sergeant Hoag, who
was doing desk duty, of the occurrence.
Sergeant Hoag took a statement from
Mrs. Miller and then told her to go to
HEADQUARTERS and file charges with Chief
Murphy. The Sergeant did not put the
complaint on record. When Mrs. Miller
went to Police Headquarters to make the
complaint the report could not be found.
Chief Murphy then investigated the mat
ter and charges of neglect OF duty were
preferred against the Sergeant. Sergeant
Hoag pleaded not guilty.
Police Captain Kelly was called as a
witness. The Captain testified that the
neglect of duty on the part of the Ser
geant was in no way intentional.
Sergeant Hoag,' said the Captain,
s.did his best to locate the officer, but
was unable, because Gray had only been
doing eat in the Second Precinct a few
days and his number was not known"
President McGill, in addressing Hoag,
said Hoag bad been on the force thir-
teen years and had never been before
the Board on charges of any kind.
This SAID President McGill, us an
excellent record, and in consequence you
win escape with a reprimand by Chief
Murphy"