Evening star., 1900-12-06
FOR A HIGHER STANDARD
DRAFT OF BILL FOR REORGANIZA.
TION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Approved by Commissioners and Sub
mitted to COnEress-ProvisiOn
of the Measure.

The Commissioners of the District of CO.
lunlbia. IN board session late yesterday af-
ternoon approved the draft OF proposed
bill, submitted by Major Sylvester, intended
to raise the organization of the metropoli-
tan police force to a higher standard by
onItting obsolete, incongruous and useless
features and Incorporating others which
reason and experience have shown to be
desirable The proposed legislation was en-
bodied substantially in the proposed code of
law for the District of Columbia, but hav-
ing been eliminated therefrom, is now Of
fered 4 separate provision. The chair
rlen of the District committees of the Sen
ate and the House of Representatives will
be requested to do what they can to secure
the enac lment of the draft as law
The draft submitted by Major Sylvester
provides that the metropolitan police dis
trict shall comprise the entire District of
Columbia, and the Commissioners of said
District may divide the same into precincts
as they deem advisable.
1t shall be the duty of the Commission
ers to maintain police force for the
entire District, who shall be authorized
TO do duty in any part thereof, to be known
as the metropolitan police. which force
"h ii consist of one major and superntend-
ent one assistant superintendent and such
number of captains, lieutenantS, sergeantS,
pr.vates of Glass and Glass !. desk ser
geants and others as Congress may from
time to time provide.
Appointments to Class One.
All new appointments shall be made to
Glass !. and not then until the applicant
shall have been certified to the major and
superintendent as physically able to per-
form the duties of private in the force
after examination by the full board of po-
lice surgeons.
Desk sergeants shall perform the clerical
duties at the respective station houses, and
shall possess the authority of sergeants in
the absence of the lieutenantS or other SER
geants. and be responsible for the proper
kc'Iln@ of the records, property and good
order at the station houses
W lon vacancy occurs in the office OF
captain, lieutenant. sergeant the Com
missioners shall notify the civil service
comm ssion, who shall hold a competitive
examination ror such vacancy vacancies.
The applicant making the highest aver
age percentage. his length of service, rec
ord on the force with respect to loss of
time trials for infractions of the rules, rep
rmands and physical condition being con-
sdered herewith shall be promoted to any
vacancy. which promotion shall be consid-
cred permanent if, after six months proba-
tion he shall be retained in such position.
The Commissioners are authorized to de-
tau from time to time from the privates
OF the police force. such number of privates
as may, in their judgment, be necessary for
SPECIAL service in the detection and preVen-
ton of crime, and while serving in such
capacity they shall have the rank OF SER
geants in the force.
The Relief Fund.
The Commissioners authorized and
directed to deposit with the treasurer of the
nited States. out or receipts from fines
in the Police Court and receipts from dog
licenses, a sufficient amount to meet any
deficiency in the policemen's fund or fire.
mems fund.
The chief engineer of the fire department
ana the major and superintendent of police
assistant superintendent, captains and lieu
tenants. after fifteen years service in the
fire department CT police force or having
been injured or having contracted disease
III the iine Of duty, may be removed from
such department or force. and shall receive
an allowance equal to 30 per cent o. the
salary paid at the time Of such removal: or
IN case oi death, the widow and children
under sixteen years Of ase shall be granted
Il sum not exceeding that aforesaid.
Any person practicing private de-
tectiVe, or advertising or holding himself
OUT as such, without first comp.yng with
the provisions Of law relative to private de-
teciIVeS, shall be guilty OF a mlsdemea nnr
ana SUBJECT to fine not exceeding S5;O ar.
i'hpfis0nne mt in the District iail for a
period not exceeding eleven months and
twenty days.