The evening times., 1899-03-22
ENFORCING Discipline
AMONG POLICEMEN
Private ]. NJ. Copeland Dis
missed From the Force.
Found Guilty of Neglect of Duty
Several Times.
Had the Endorsement of PrOminen
Men. But Major Sylvester Urged
His Discharge.

Final action was taken by the District
Commissioners today on the cases OF sew
eral policemen and firemen who were tried
before Police Trial officer Pugh recently
for neglect of duty.
In the case of Policeman ]. NJ. Copeland
the Commissioners approved the recon-
mendation of Major Sylvester that the po-
liceman be removed. The recommenda-
tions that Policeman Joseph v Riley be
fined $40 for drinking and that Firemen
De Witt Smith and J. II. Davidson, Jr., be
fined IS each for engaging in an affray in
the dormitory of No. engine house were
also approved.
Policeman Copeland had been brought
before the police trial officer in the past for
various violations of the manual, and it is
said had always been leniently dealt with
in view Of lack OF clinching evidence. He
has been frequently warned, and on the
occasion of his last neglect was informed
that failure TO keep an excellent record
would result in immediate dismissal from
the force.
Copeland has been an active policeman
and has shown a disposition TO make
amends for mistakes, but Major Sylvester
thinks the force is much better off without
the services of men who cannot give their
full and strict attention TO duty. Copeland
is from the Congressional district of Rep
resentative Seth Brown of Ohio, who re-
quested the Commissioners TO permit the
policeman to have every opportunity to
make defence against the charges prefer
red.
He was appointed May s, 1896 In Oc-
tober Of the same year he was tried for
neglect of duty, found guilty, and fined s..
The specifications were failure TO patrol
his beat on March 10. 1898. Copeland was
again tried for failure TO be on his reliev-
ing post while on duty, but the charges
We're dismissed. On August Is. 1898, Cope
land was tried for neglect of duty and in
toKication. He was found guilty, but was
given the benefit of the doubt. and warn
ed that one point against his promotion
had been recorded.
On February 81 last Copeland was tried
for failure to report to the station from
the patrol signal box at o'clock in the
morning, and failure TO perform police duty
for period of one hour and twenty min
utes, and he was found guilty and fined SO.
The last charge against Copeland prefer
red against him by Sergeant Daley March
is. 1899, was absence from reserve duty
for period of five hours, failure to patrol
beat, and entry into premises at No. 1112
Seventh Street at $3.50 o'clock in the
on duty. Copeland, when called upon to
make a statement, said that he went home
and finding his baby very sick with Group
and fever remained at home and assist
ed his wife in caring for the infant Il
did not send word to the station he said,
because ] thought | could make il all
right ] did not think there would be
anything said about it. So far as enter
ing the premises is concerned, ii was rain
ing and ] stepped into the hallway.
have no excuse for sitting down except that
j stopped for minute to see if the ain
would not slack up before l started 10
the station again"
Among the papers in the case is memo
randum stating that Hon. John r. Mclean
made strong plea for the retention OF
Copeland. In his recommendation Major
Sylvester says: Private Copeland was
dealt with very leniently in the past. In
my judgment Private Copeland is deserv-
ing Of no further consideration. and should
be removed from the force" These recon-
mendations were approved by the Commits
eioners.
Policeman Riley was charged with enter