Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-09-10
THAT POLICE INVESTIGATION.

Ever since the riot OF q fortnight
ago the city and county officials have
tried to impress upon the newspapers
of Akron the importance of spspending
criticism of the conduct of the police de-
partment upon the night of the trouble
This was claimed to be necessary as
a matter of public policy.
But since the severest of structure
upon the police department has come
from within its own ranks,--from the
chief himself and from a sub
ordinate who presumes to criticise
bis chief, matter has become q
legitimate subject for discussion.
Last week Chief Harrison made q
public statement OF why he left the
city shortly after the riot, and his
statement is made the text by police,
man for reply which amounts tc
practically the same thing as accusing
the chief of cowardice aud incompe
tency.
Thereupop Chief Harrison sus.
pended the accusing officer from ser
vice and the matter is in fair way
to be investigated by the Board ol
City Commissioners.
The petty quarrels and jealousles and
insubordinations that have developed
from time to time in the police depart
ment have been n disgrace to the force
and have been anything but gratifying
TO the property owners of Akron. In
stead of suppressing these growing
evils the Board of City Commissioners
has encouraged them by its policy of
political favoritism which has deter.
mined the appointment of many mem
bers of the force and it's mistake OF
making the Office of Chief signify
no more than figurehead.
While the investigation is going or
to determine who made the blunders
upon the night Of the riot the people
should he Informed whether or not
Mr., McNIillen, the chairman of the
Police committee of the Board Of City
Commissioners, usurped any Of the
functions of the Chief of Police and
whether he was in any way responsi.
bic for the methods with which the
police undertook to disperse the
crowds.
The attack upon Chief Harrison at
this time comes from suspicious
source and has all the ear marks of
being Intended to serve the purpose Of
extending the control of the political
dictator OF tho Board still more abso.
lutcly over the police department
Il there is to be an investigation the
people will demand that 1t be conducted
not with view of finding scnpe goat
for blupders that may have been made.
but for the purpose Of raising the eff
tlciency of the force. The citizens Of
Akron are not concerned In the polit.
ical views and alliances of their Chief
of Police but they are Interested in
his ability TO organize aud maintain n
iorce 'nht VIII ne competent to pro-
tcct their lives and property.
The time has come when the people
should toll the politicians 10 keep their
hands of the police department. And
this injunction should apply with equal
force to the politicians of the Board
of City Commissioners,
The Democrat believes that an in
vestigation of the Police department
is needed and that II will be welcomed
by the people, but It must be con,
Quoted for highe5 purpose than that
OF grinding someone's aX in petty
quarrel, advancing some self,seeking
politician, or finding scape- goat for
the blunders OF officials higher than
the police force.
Hamnainn Maotino