Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-15

many Republicans have applied for
POSITIONS on the police force, some evil
IDENTIFY believing that the political COM
plexion of the force would be changed
10 correspond with that Of the board.
Some seem to have the impression that
the hoard can depose Democrats at
will to make places for Republicans.
Such is not the case, however. Will
mington has permanent police force,
which cannot be disturbed for political
reasons. Comparatively few people are
familiar with the act creating the COM
mission and numerous inquiries hayo
been made concerning the powers of
the commissioners.
The act, which was passed by the
General Assembly on April 18th, 1893,
appointed William M. Pyle, Patrick
Monaghan and John W. Lawson for
two four and six-year terms, respect.
lively, and contains the following pro-
vision for the selection of their success
sors "At the expiration of the term
Of office Of either of the said commits
siouers, so appointed, the vacancies
shall be filled by the associate judge of
the Supreme Court, resident in New
Castle county of the Stats of Delaware,
by the appointment of suitable per-
sou, who shall have been chosen at
least 30 days next preceding the ex-
piration of the said term Of Office.
Such person SO appointed shall hold
office for and during the term of six
years from the first day of May next
ensuing, or until his successor shall
have been appointed. The Board of
Police Commissioners shall have power
to fill and shall fill any vacancies in
the Board of Police Commissioners
caused by the death, resignation or in
capacity to serve of any OF the three
said commissioners appointed as sfore-
SAID. The appointment shall only be
for the residue of the unexpired term.
Any member Of the said
board may he removed for cause, after
trial, by two thirds vote of the whole
City Council. The reason of removal
shall be entered in the Journal
Before entering upon the
duties of office as commissioner, each
member of the said board shall enter
into bond and shall also take
and subscribe before the said Judge of
the said court Judge of the city court
OF Wilmington, in addition to any
e"ti hCHhiioi W bo tdhpn ny
municipal officers, the further oath or
Animation that in every appointment
or removal to be made by the said
board to or from the police force,
created and to be organized under this
act, he will in no case, and under no
preteSt, appoint or remove any police
man or officer, or other person, for any
other cause or reason than fitness or
nntitness, The qualification or disquali-
tcation, as the case may be, of such
person, officer or policeman, in the
best Judgment of the said commits
sioner, for the place to which be shall
be appointed or from which he shall be
removed, and the said oath or aiiirna-
tion shall be recorded and preserved
among the records of the said court"
The act also provides that the board
shall elect its own president land the
chief of police for the city of Whining
ton for the time being shall be the Sec
rotary of said board Other provi-
sions are as follows:
THE said Board of Police Commits.
sioners arehereby given entire jurisdic-
ton and control over the fire alarm and
police telegraph system of the city of
Wilmington, and shall from the time
OF their organization have entire man
agement of the instruments and bat
teries connected Herewith, and shall
have the appointment of all officials
whose duties pertain to the same, and
tho power to discharge any or all of the
said officials, whenever in their judg-
ment, the public interest may require it.
The said members of the said Board
Of Police Commissioners u are
hereby authorized and required, imme-
diately upon entering upon the duties
OF their office, to appoint, enroll and
employ permanent police force for the
city. of Wilmington, which they shall
Uniform and equip as they may deem
necessary under the rules and regula-
tons which they may from time to
time prescribe; and the said board
Shall have power to remove any officer
Of police, policeman, or other person
from the force for the violation Of any
rule or regulation which they may
make. The said police force shall consist
OF ono chief of police, two captains Of
police and such number of sergeants as
may be deemed necessary for each police
district in the said city, and sixty men !;
which police force may be increased by
The said board from time to time, pro
vided there is passed by a majority
vote of the City Council resolution
recommending the same. The qualifi-
cations for positions of officer Of police
and policemen shall be good moral
character. sobriety, citizenship in thu
United States and the State of Dela.y
ware. ability to read and write, and
PHYSICAL strength and courage. No per-
son who has been convicted OF q crime
o. felony shall BE eligible to the posi-
ton of officer of police or policeman.
The pay of the ordinary policeman
snail be S760 per annum,
chief OF police shall receive 81, 200 per
annum; each captain shall receive 5000
per annum, and each sergeant of police
snail receive $500 per annum. The
Salaries of the officers of police and
police officers fixed by this act shall
not be Increased by the said Board OF
folice Commissioners, unless upon a
resolution from the City Council, passed
oy majority vote thereof, recommend
ing the same. No member of the police
force shall receive any other compensa-
ton for his services on the police force.
nor as informer, from the city, or any
person or individual, for the perform
ance Of any duty connected with his
POSITION, II u y
No chief of police, officer of police
o. policeman shall, while on duty, enter
any drinking saloon or other place
Where liquors are to be sold to be
trunk on the premises, except in the
discharge of his duties, under penalty
u Immediate dismissal; no officer of
police or policeman shall be member
any political committee, or be dele
s " to any political convention, or
snail DO present at any such conyen-
uon, or at any primary, special or, gen.
tTHl nlantsn. -. f,.l1 NG sol