The sun., 1900-07-18
CHIEF DOLAN
SUSPENDED FROM
POLICE DUTIES
Charges of IntoxicatiOn and
Absence From Duty to
be Investigated.
COMMISSION WAS UNANIMOUS
Resolution Says it is Alleged he was
Absent From July 12 to July
10. Chief Dolan Explains
to the Board of Police
Commissioners.
Commissioners

Chief of Police John F. Dolan was last
night suspended from duty by resolu-
tion unanimously adopted by the Board
of Police Commissioners.
An investigation of the reports of al
legged intoxication on the part of the
chief and the fact that he was absent
from duty, which it was predicted in TIE
Sun yesterday was to be made, will be
started at once by President Pyle.
The statement made in TUE Sun yes
terday that the chief was in trouble and
that shakeup in the police department
wolld likely follow created great sem
sation throughout the city and was tie
general topic of conversation.
Officers on their beats discussed the
plobabe outcome of the affair." Polite.
ians began discussing the chiefs prob
able successor and the statement was
made that the man would have to come
from the ranks.
Some persons even had the nerve to
call up the police station on the tele-
phone and ask about the removal. The
men on duty Of course said they knew
nothing about it.
There was much speculation as to what
action would be taken by the police
commissioners at their meeting last
night. Throughout the day the commits
sioners received many calls from persons
who desired to discuss the matter or inn
part some information.
The Commissioners assembled at
O'Clock last evening in their room in the
City Hall. They were all present,
President William M. Pyle and James B,
Clarkson, the Republican mem bere, and
Alexander j. Hart, the Democratic mem
ber
Chief Dolan, who was on duty yester-
day, arrived at the police station about
the same time as the Commissioners aud
went into the meeting with them to-
gether with William F. Schell, the
chiefs clerk.
After the regular routine business was
transacted, ScLel was asked to leave the
room.
The board then went into executive
session and discussed the rumors about
the chief.
Considerable time was occupied in
this way. The commissioners repeated
the rumors they had heard on the street,
and also the fact that the chief was abb
sent from duty.
The. chief made statement to the
commissioners in explanation of the
rumors.
The commissioners unanimously
adopted resolution suspending Chief
Dolan from duty pending an investiga-
tion of the fact that he was absent from
duty without leave from Thursday, July
IL, to Monday, July 16, instant, inclu-
sive, in violation of the rules OF the de-
partment, and also OF conduct unbecom-
ing an officer, it being alleged that he
was intoxicated, violation of the rules
OF the department.
Commissioner Hart took no active
part in the proceeding but agreed to the
resolution.
President Pyle, when seen after the
meeting said the resolution had not been
introduced by any particular commits.
sioner but was the work of the board.
He said the statements about the con-
duct of the chief had been heard by the
commissioners from citizens, who had
stopped them on the street.
The investigation starts at once but no
definite results will be arrived at imme-
diately, as Mr.. Hart will be away for
few days and no action will be taken by
the board until his return. 1t is desired
that all the members of the board should
be present when the matter is taken up.
A Sun representative saw Chief Dolan
after the meeting, The chief said he had
no statement to make at present. As to
the charge of being absent from duty
without leave he stated that previous to
this time he never asked leave to 60 off
duty.
President Pyle said the work of the
chief would be done by the captains dt r.
ing the period of his suspension.